HISTORY 



THE KENTUCKY DERBY 



875-IS21 





Class At3_iLl 

Book.il4i^a__ 



Copyright N^. 



Ci)PMR;lGHT DEPOSIT. 



HISTORY 

of 

THE KENTUCKY DERBY 

1875-1921 

BY 

JOHN L. O'CONNOR 



^^1 



0^ 



Copyright 1921 
John L. O'Connor 



APR 14 1921 
8)CI.A614074 



PREFACE 



WITH no pretense to authorship or claim for orig- 
inality on the part of the compiler, this work is 
offered as a reference book. For many, the plain 
facts of each year's Kentucky Derby will be of sufficient 
interest. To the countless followers of Turf happenings 
the material herein will refresh the memory and awaken 
happy reminiscence. 

This compilation is made mainly from the columns 
of The Thoroughbred Record, a Kentucky publication, and 
I am indebted to the graciousness of its editor, Mr. John 
E. Rubbathan, for the privilege to use the material from 
his invaluable repository. Mr. Douglas Anderson, author 
of "Making the American Thoroughbred," by his en- 
couragement has made light the labor incident to compila- 
tion. To Mr. Gurney C. Gue, of the New York 
Herald, I owe a debt of gratitude for his helpful advice. 

In conclusion, if these efforts prove acceptable to my 
brethren of the Turf and tend in any degree to promote 
and keep up the spirit of Racing, the object in giving as 
much time to the subject as I have done, will be accom- 
plished and my end attained. 

White Plains, N. Y. 
April First, 1921. 



FIRST DERBY 1875 

To-day will ever be historic in the turf annals of Kentucky, 
as the first "Derby Day," of what I hope to see a long series 
of turf festivities. If the officers of the Association could have 
had the pick from the calendar of the year, there could not 
have been a more delightful and charming day. The mornin,? 
broke without a cloud visible in the heavens, while a cool breeze 
was wafted over the course, tempering the increasing rays of 
the sun. It was just such a day in May 

When the sun is rejoicing above in heaven, 

The clouds have all hurried away. 

Down in the meadow the blossoms are waking, 

Light on their twigs the young leaves are shaking, 

Round the warm knolls the lambs are a leaping, 

The colt from his fold o'er the pasture is sweeping, 

But on the bright lake, 

The little waves break, 

For there the cool west is at play. 

The course was in splendid order, and all the appurtenances 
requisite for the comfort and convenience of racing was ready 
to hand. In company with a friend we started early for the 
course, thinking that we would reach it before the crowd, but 
by half past eleven o'clock we found enough people to make a 
respectable show. As the hour approached for the opening of 
the ball, every avenue leading to the course was thronged with 
people making their way to it. It was indeed a Derby Day in 
all respects. With the two railroads leading to the course, the 
street cars, hacks and private vehicles, when the first bell was 
rung for the riders, the Grand Stand presented one solid mass 
of human faces, while the quarter-stretch, the public stand, and 
a portion of the field was covered with people. There could 



HISTORY OF THE 



not have been kss than 10,000 persons on the course, composed 
of all grades of society, the banker, the merchant, the gentle- 
man of leisure and pleasure seeker, the butcher, the baker, the 
candlestick maker, et id oinnc genus. That portion of the Grand 
Stand devoted to the ladies was one grand bouquet of beauty, 
refinement and intelligence. The ladies in the various costumes 
looked like so many parti-colored butterflies, balancing them- 
selves on their wings, in the slanting rays of the bright sun. 
At one time you met a beauty with such sweetness in her up- 
turned eyes, such as fancy lends to the Madonna ; at another 
point, one on whose lips the words laugh, and whose stately steps 

Are light, as though a winged angel trod 
Over earth flowers, and fear'd to brush away 
Their delicate hues. 

All the shades of beauty is fully represented, from the blonde 
to the brunette, from the matron, whose hair is threaded with 
the silver, to the young girl just blushing into womanhood, 
whose cheeks are as ruby red as a peach that has been kissed 
by the sun. 

The Derby came next, and fifteen finer or handsomer young- 
sters never faced a starter. McGrath's entries had the call in 
the betting and many thought he would win with Chesapeake, but 
Aristides, the son of Leamington, carried oflf the honors, and 
worthily earned a chaplet, one of the best three-year-olds ever 
stripped for a race in this country. It was extremely gratifying 
to the friends of the liberal Laird of McGrathiana, and will 
be doubly gratifying to Aristides Welch, the owner of Leam- 
ington, after whom the colt is christened. This is the best race 
at the weights ever run by three-year-olds in this country, and 
cannot fail to make Aristides a still stronger favorite for his 
Eastern engagements. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 



SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby, three-year-olds; $50 play or pay; As- 
sociation to add $1000; second horse to have $200. Dash of one 
and a half miles. Closed with 42 nominations. Value $3,100. 

H. P. McGrath's ch c Aristides, by Imp. Leamington, out of 

Sarong ; 100 lbs., Oliver Lewis 1 

Geo. H. Rice's b c Volcano, by Vandal, out of Iodine; 100 

lbs., H. Williams 2 

C. A. Lewis' ch c Verdigris, by Versailles, out of Belle 

Brandon ; 100 lbs., H. Chambers 3 

H. P. McGrath's b c Chesapeake, by Lexington, out of Rox- 

ana; 100 lbs., W. Henry 

Robinson, Morgan & Co.'s br c Bob Woolley, by Imp. Leam- 
ington, out of Item ; 100 lbs., W. Walker 

J. B. Rhodes' b c Searcher, bv Enquirer, dam by Imp. Bonnie 

Scotland ; 100 lbs., R. Colston, Jr 

Wm. Cottrill's ch f Ascension, by Imp. Australian, out of 

Lilly Ward ; 97 lbs., W. Lakeland 

Stringfield & Clay's gr c Enlister, by Enquirer, out of Crown- 
let ; 100 lbs., Holloway 

A. Buford's ch c McCreery, by Enquirer, out of Ontario ; 100 

lbs.. D. Jones 

Stringfi-eld & Clay's ch c Warsaw, by War Dance, out of 

Sister of Charity ; 100 lbs., P. Masterson 

F. B. Harper's b c Ten Broeck, by Imp. Phaeton, out of Fanny 

Holton; 100 lbs., M. Kelso 

S. J. Salyer's br c Bill Bruce, by Enquirer, out of Aurora 

R'aby ; 100 lbs., M. Jones 

Allen Bashford's br c, by Baywood, out of Lute; 100 lbs,, 

J. Carter 

A. B. Lewis & Co.'s b c Vagabond, by Vandal, out of Gem; 

100 lbs., J. Houston 

J. A. Grinstead's ch f Gold Mine, by Imp. Australian, out of 

Income ; 97 lbs., C. Stradford 

Time— 2 :37^ 

Betting—McGrath $260, Ascension $150, Searcher $120, Bill 
Bruce $80. Verdigris $70. Volcano $60. the field $50. 



HISTORY OF THE 



THE KENTUCKY DERBY 

The fifteen youngsters assembled at the half mile pole. Little 
or no delay took place under the able directorship of Col. W. 
H. Johnson. When they were marshaled into line, he tapped 
the drum to one of the most capital starts I have ever seen, the 
fifteen going away like a platoon of calvary, except the Baywood 
colt, who hung at the post. Volcano jumped away first, with 
McCreery second, and Searcher third, the remainder bunched, 
coming round the turn to the quarter pole 25^ seconds. They 
came at a rapid rate down the stretch and past the stand in nO 
seconds, McCreery first. Volcano second, Searcher third, Aristides 
fourth, the others pretty well bunched. Before they had reached 
the quarter, 1:17, Aristides had gone to the front and opened 
a gap of two lengths down the back stretch, Volcano second. 
Searcher third, the mile 1 -.43%. The pace v/as so hot that it 
began to tell and the field was stretched over a good deal of 
ground. The race f-rom this point home was never in doubt, 
Aristides winning by two lengths with something in hand, Vol- 
cano second, a length in front of Verdigris third, who came 
rapidly on the home stretch inside the distance. Bob Woolley 
who was caromed against on the lower turn a good fourth. Ten 
Broeck fifth, the Baywood colt sixth, Bill Bruce seventh, the 
remainder were scattered at wide intervals, and the dust was 
so great that I was unable to place the others. Time — 2 :37}i. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE WINNER 

Aristides is a chestnut colt, with a star, and two white pat- 
terns behind. He stands fifteen hands, one and three-quarter 
inches high. He has a neat head and neck running into rather 
a straight shoulder, with great length, good barrel, excellent hips 
and stifles, sound feet and legs well under him. He has fine 
turn of speed, and from the way he finished up the Derby to-day 



KENTUCKY DERBY 



gives every evidence of being a good stayer. He was bred by 
Mt. H. p. McGrath, at McGrathiana Stud Farm, near Lexington, 
Ky., and is by Imp. Leamington, out of Sarong, by Lexington! 
her dam The Greek Slave, by Imp. Glencoe— Margaret Hunter, 
by Imp. Margrave— Mary Hunt, by Bertrand— Betty Coons, by 
Hephestion— by Hampton's Twig— by Imp. Bedford— by Harle- 
quin — by Imp. Fearnaught. 

SECOND DERBY 1876 

Eleven out of the thirty-four nominations went to the post, 
and after some delay, caused by the breakaway and anxiety of 
a few of the colts to get off in front, Col. Robt. Johnson, who 
officiated in this race, sent them away to a good start, Parole 
in the lead, Creedmoor second, Vagrant third, Bullion fourth. 
Bombay fifth, Harry Hill sixth, Red Coat seventh, and the re- 
mainder in pretty close order. Before going half way around the 
turn, Vagrant had taken the lead, with Parole second, Creedmoor, 
third. From the three-quarter pole to the stand some 
changes took place, Vagrant leading, Bullion two lengths, second 
Harry Hill third, Parole fourth, Bombay fifth, Creedmoor sixth. 
the remainder outpaced, strung out in single file. Vagrant main- 
tained his lead around the turn and just before reaching the 
quarter pole, 1 :17^, some one, many thought Harry Hill, ran 
into and cut Bullion down and dropped back, Harry Hill taking 
his position, with Creedmoor third. Before reaching the half mile 
the race had resolved itself into a match between Vagrant and 
Creedmoor. But it was never in doubt, for Vagrant galloped 
along at his ease and his big stride, and won the race, like he 
has all the others, in a big gallop by more than a length, Harry 
Hill, two lengths from him, third, Bombay fourth, Red Coat 
fifth, Harper's black filly by Enquirer sixth, Leamingtonian sev- 
enth, Marie Michon eighth, Bullion ninth, Parole tenth and Ger- 



10 HISTORYOFTHE 

mantovvn eleventh. The quarter 26, half 51, three-quarters 
1 :17j/2, mile 1:45, mile and a quarter 2:11^4. mile and a half 
2:38^. 

DESCRIPTION AND PEDIGREE 

Vagrant is a dark bay gelding, blaze face, four white stock- 
ings, and stands a shade over 15^ hands. He was bred at the 
Preakness Stud Farm, the property of M. H. Sanford, Esq., 
and was purchased as a yearling by T. J. Nichols. Paris, Ky., 
for $250. He has a neat head and neck, good shoulders, excel- 
lent middle piece, great length, immense hips and quarters and 
tremendous stifles, with sound feet and legs. His action is easy 
and graceful, a regular daisy cutter, and from his style and car- 
riage must go a distance of ground. 

Vagrant is by Virgil (son of Vandal and Hymenia by Imp. 
Yorkshire; 1st dam Lazy, by Imp. Scythian; 2d dam Lindora, 
by Lexington ; 3d dam Picayune, by Aledoc ; 4th dam Sally 
Howe, by Sir William of Transport; 5th dam Lady Robin, by 
Robin Grey; 6th dam by Quicksilver (son of imp. Medley) ; 7th 
dam by Aleede's Celer. 

He started in his two-year-old form six times, won five, and 
beaten once. He won the Alexander Stakes, half mile, at Louis- 
ville, Ky., in 50^4, beating Harry Hill, Russ Butler and tea 
others. Same meeting with 5 lbs. penalty, ran third to Creedmoor 
for the Tennessee Stakes, three-quarters of a mile in 1 :22j^ 
track deep in mud. At Lexington, Ky., won sweepstakes for 2- 
year-old colts, three-quarters of a mile, beating The Nipper, Creed- 
moor, and six others, in 1:18. Same meeting won the sweepstakes 
for two-year-old colts and fillies, one mile, beating Clemmie G., 
The Nipper, and five others, in 1 :45^. At Louisville Fall Meet- 
ing, won the Belle Meade Stakes, three-quarters of a mile, beating 
Bengal, Bombay, and nine others, in 1 :17%. Same meeting won 



KENTUCKY DERBY 11 



the Sanford Stakes, one mile, beating Alborac, Miriam filly, 
and several others, in 1 :46. 

At Lexington, Ky., Spring Meeting of 1876, won the Phoenix 
Hotel Stakes, VA miles, by more than a distance, beating Clem- 
mie G., Knapsack, Very Fine and Yandall, in 1 :56M- Besides 
winning the Kentucky Derby, at Louisville, in present meeting, 
he is engaged in the Clark Stakes, two miles, and same place 
in fall on the St. Leger, two miles and Gait House Stakes, 
two mile heats, the Grand Exposition Stakes, 1^^ miles at 
Riiladelphia, the Breckenridge Stakes, two miles, at Balti- 
more, and the Suwanec Stakes, two mile heats, at Nashville 
Fall Meetings. 

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year olds, $50 play or pay, with 
$1,500 added, second to have $200. Qne and a half miles, 
34 nominations. Value $3,200. 

T. J. Nichol's b g Vagrant, by Virgil, dam Lazy, 97 lbs., 

Swim 1 

Williams & Owings' ch c Creedmoor, by Asteroid, dam imp. 

Target, 100 lbs., Williams 2 

John Funk's br c Harry Hill, by Virgil, dam Lark, 100 lbs.. 

Miller 3 

P. Lorillard's br g Parole, by imp. Leamington, dam Maiden, 

97 lbs., Sparling 

F. B. Harper's ch c Germantown, by Planet, dam Nantura, 

100 lbs., Graham 

F. B. Harper's blk f, by Enquirer, dam by imp. Albion, 97 

lbs., James 

J. A, Grinstead's b f Marie Michon, by Melbourne, jr., dam 

Nellie Gray, 97 lbs., Stratford 

H. F. Vissman's b c Leamingtonian, by imp. Leamington, 

dam Mollie, 100 lbs., Colston 

D. Swigert's b c Bombay, by Planet, dam Nora, 100 lbs.. 

Walker . , 



12 HISTORY OF THE 



Green Clay's ch c Red Coat, by imp. Australian, dam Sally, 
100 lbs., Hughes 

A. Keene Richards' ch c Bullion, by War Dance, dam Gold 
Ring, 100 lbs., Kelso 

Time— 2 :3S'4 
Betting — Just before the start, Vagrant even against the field. 

THIRD DERBY 1877 

Persons who long wished and desired a beautiful day for the 
Kentucky Derby were fully gratified Tuesday. The sun was 
out bright and the excessive heat for the past week was tem- 
pered by a gentle breeze that made it all the more enjoyable, 
albeit it militated some against faster time. 

The course, from the heavy rain of Sunday, was not in the 
best possible condition, and in some places was a little deep and 
uneven. Early in the morning preparations commenced for the 
day's sport, and the crowded condition of the hotels betokened 
a large attendance, and long before the call bell was sounded to 
summon the jockeys and horses, the grand stand, quarter-stretch, 
field and field stand were crowded to repletion with an anxious 
crowd of spectators. The sky was flecked here and there with 
a few masses of clouds, but there was nothing threatening about 
them. Now and then they served the purpose of a veil, which 
hid the fierce glances of the sun, and cast a shade over the vast 
crowd that was gathered on the emerald green fields. Rarely, 
indeed, have the magnificent landscapes which can be viewed on 
either side from the grand stand and its neighborhood, looked 
more lovely. Behind, looking, we see the Nashville railroad wind- 
ing its way like a snake through green fields and woodlands until 
it is lost in the distance. In front to one side you see the curling 
smoke arising from the city, with a cloud of dust that indicates 
the road over which the vast crowd is coming, bent on pleasure. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 13 



To the left lay green fields and woodlands, rejoicing in the light 
luxuriant foliage of May; meadows and fields surrounded by 
whitened fences, here and there a cottage dotted over the plain 
with their smoke curling lazily upwards. Away beyond this 
could be seen the green hills running in a semi-circle, indicating 
where the beautiful Ohio winds its way and marked the bound- 
ary between Kentucky and Indiana. 

For the Derby, eleven out of the forty-one nominations 
sported silk. Leonard was a hot favorite, and the race resulted 
in his overthrow by Baden-Baden, who was third choice in the 
betting. If Leonard could have won, his chances were destroyed 
by the way in which the race was managed. He made all the 
running, took the lead and set himself up as a target for the 
others to shoot at, and right gallantly did Lisbon serve his stable 
companion, Baden-Baden, for three-quarters of a mile at a 
clipping pace, and then dropped back. Vera Cruz, who was 
backed with considerable spirit bj^ his friends, had his chances 
destroyed by being left at the post. King William ran a good 
race, and for a colt that has had the knocking about and ham- 
mering that he has, he is one of the best three-year-olds that 
has appeared this year. His performance should add greatly to 
the reputation of his young sire, Foster, one of the best bred sons 
of Lexington. The race was an excellent one for the condition 
of the course. 

After some three or four breakaways, the eleven were de- 
spatched to a good start, except Vera Cruz, who reared and 
plungeid just as the drum tapped, Dan K. showing in front, but 
was soon passed by Lisbon, who cut out the work at a sharp 
pace, the quarter 26^ seconds. Entering the stretch Leonard 
showed in front and had a lead of half a length at the stand, 
with Lisbon and King WiUiarn second and third, the remainder 



14 HISTORY OF THE 



in pretty close order, the half mile 52 seconds. Going around 
the turn King William joined Leonard, and Lisbon dropped back, 
Baden-Baden taking his place, the three-quarters 1 rlS. Going 
down the back stretch Leonard led King William a length, the 
latter whipping, with Baden-Baden at his quarters, the mile 
1 :44^. The two took close order on the turn, and just before 
entering the stretch at the three-quarter pole, the mile and a 
quarter 2:11^, Baden-Baden showed his nose in front, Leonard 
second, lapped by King William, all three driving. It was a 
beautiful and exciting finish to the stand, Baden-Baden winning 
by little over a length, Leonard second, a head in front of King 
William, third. Vera Cruz, who reared and was left at the 
post, overhauled his horses and finished fourth, with Odd Fellow 
fifth, lapped by McWhirter sixth, Malvern seventh, Earlylight 
eighth, Dan K. ninth, Lisbon tenth, and Headlight eleventh. 
Time— 2:38. 

DESCRIPTION OF WINNER 

Baden-Bc'den is a dark chestnut colt, with a star, stands 16 
hands high, with a plain head, good neck, well placed shoulders, 
with plenty of length, good back and loins, and sound feet and 
legs. There is nothing striking about him, and he greatly re- 
sembles his own brother, Helmbold, and has bred back after his 
sire. 

He was bred by A. J. Alexander, Woodburn Stud Farm, 
Spring Station, Ky., and purchased by D. Swigert, Stockwood 
Farm, as a yearling for $1,010, by imp. Australian, out of Lav- 
ender by Wagner, her dam Alice Carneal by imp. Sarpedon — 
Rowena by Sumpter — Lady Gray by Robin Gray — Maria by 
Melzar — by imp. Highflyer— by imp. Fearnaught — ^by Ariel — by 
Jack of Diamonds— imp. Diamond by Cullen Arabian— Lady 
Thigh by Croft's Partner— by Greyhound— Sophonisba's dam by 



KENTUCKY DERBY 15 

Curwen's Bay Barb — by D'Arcy's Chestnut Arabian— by White- 
shirt — Old Montague mare. 

Baden-Baden started five times at two years old, won one, 
lost four. He was unplaced at Lexington, Ky., for sweepstakes, 
one mile, won by Glentina in 1 :45^. He ran second at Louis- 
ville, Ky., for the Belle Meade Stakes, three-quarters of a mile, 
won by McWhirter in 1:17. Same meeting ran second to Belle 
of the Meade for the Sanford Stakes, one mile, in 1 'A4%. Same 
meeting ran second to Belle of the Meade, 100 lbs. each, for a 
sweepstakes, one mile, in 1 :44^, the best on record, and at 
Nashville won the Young America Stakes, one mile, in 1 :46^, 
beating King William, Barbara, Joe Burt and Alice Murphy. 

He has the following engagements : The Belle Meade Stake 
No. 2, 2 miles, the Suwanee Stakes, 2 mile heats, Nashville Fall 
meeting ; the Clark Stakes, 2 miles, Louisville spring meeting ; the 
Kentucky St. Leger, 2 miles, and the Gait House Stakes, two 
mile heats, fall meeting, at Louisville, Ky. ; the Dixie Stakes, 2 
miles, at Baltimore; the Belmont, ly^ miles, the Jerome, 2 
miles and All Aged stakes 1^ miles at Jerome Park; 
the Jersey Derby, 1^ miles, and the Robbins, 2 miles, at Long 
Branch; the Travers, 1-34 miles, and Kenner, 2 miles, at Sara- 
toga, and the W'oodburn Stakes, 2^^ miles, at Jerome Park in 
1878. 

SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds ; $50 p. p., with $1,500 
added ; $200 to second horse. One and a half miles (41 sub- 
scribers). Value $3,550. 

D. Swigert's ch c Baden-Baden, by imp. Australian, dam 
Lavender, 100 lbs., Walker 1 

H. P. McGrath's br c Leonard, by Longfellow, dam Colleen 
Bawn, 100 lbs., Swim 2 



16 HISTORY OF THE 

Smallwood & Co.'s ch c King William, by Foster, dam by imp. 
Albion, 100 lbs., Bailey 3 

J. T. Williams' b g Vera Cruz, by Virgil, dam Regan, 97 
lbs., Murphy 

J. J. Merrill's b c Odd Fellow, by Longfellow, dam Magnolia, 

100 lbs., Williams 

A. Buford's ch c McWhirter, by Enquirer, dam Ontario, 100 

lbs., H. Moore 

Geo. H. Rice's br c Malvern, by Melbourne, jr., dam Mag- 

netta, 100 lbs., S. Jones 

F. B. Harper's gr f Earlv Light, by Longfellow, dam Fannie 

Wells, 97 lbs., W. James 

Johnson & Mills' b g Dan K., by imp. Bonnie Scotland, dam 

Jennie June, 97 lbs., McGrath 

D. Swigert's b c Lisbon, by imp. Phaeton, dam imp. Lady 

Love, 100 lbs., Douglass 

L. B. Field's b c Headlight, by Bayonet, dam Olivia, 100 lbs., 
iShelton 

Time— 2 :38 

Betting— Leonard, $400; Field, $430. 

FOURTH DERBY 1878 

No better evidence would be wanted of the popularity and 
growing interest in racing than was the case to-day, the opening 
of the Spring meeting of the Louisville Jockey Club. The club 
have struck the keynote of success in throwing open the inner > 
field free to the public, which was graced to-day by some six 
or eight thousand people, as well behaved and orderly an as- 
semblage as has ever been seen collected together. They came 
on foot, in every sort and kind of vehicles, and the grand stand 
and every other available space was full to overflowing to wit- 
ness the first day, which gave one of the best races ever witnessed 
in America. But we must not anticipate our report. The sport 



KENTUCKY DERBY 17 

proved to be of an interesting and most exciting character, and 
those who were present were more than repaid. This Association 
has been extremely fortunate in the way of weather, and to-day 
was no exception to the rule. The track was in admirable order, 
but many thought it was fully two seconds slow. The day was 
fine and springlike, a slight breeze tempering the otherwise warm 
rays of the sun. The fields, considering the number of horses 
on the grounds, were not as large as many anticipated, but as 
the favorites were overthrown, the crowd shouted themselves 
hoarse with joy. 

For the Kentucky Derby, out of 56 nominations nine 
splendid colts faced the starter. Himyar was such a big 
favorite, 3 to 1 over the field, that he was left out of the pools, 
and Day Star was next in favor, closely pushed by Bergundy 
and Leveller. The result as easily told. Day Star made 
all his running and won the race like the first-class colt that he 
is, just as he did the Blue Ribbon at Lexington. Himyar was 
miserably ridden, and ran fully sixty or seventy-five yards farther 
in the race than was necessary. This defeat does not lessen him 
in our estimation, and v/e look upon him as the greatest colt of 
the year, with Day Star little inferior. 

After three or four false starts the lot were sent away to a 
capital one, except for Charlie Bush, Bergund}', and the favorite, 
Himyar, who seemed to hang fire, which enabled the lot to get 
some six to ten lengths the start. At the half-mile pole Day 
Star was first, McHenry second, Respond third, Leveller fourth. 
Solicitor fifth, Earl of Beaconsfield sixth, Charlie Bush seventh, 
Burgundy eighth, and Himyar ninth. Day Star cut out the work 
at rapid rate, no change occurring at the three-quarter pole. Day 
Star passed the stand two lengths in front of McHenry, Respona 
third. Leveller fourth, Himyar fifth, Charlie Bush sixth. Solicitor 
seventh. Earl of Beaconsfield eighth, and Burgundy, who was 



18 HISTORY OF THE 



knocked to his knees on the lower turn, ninth. Day Star held 
his lead round the turn and after passing the quarter-pole; 
Himyar, who was ridden miserably, running on the extreme 
outside on the turn, took second place, with Leveller third. The 
race was now over; Day Star was never headed and won easily 
by two lengths, the spur being freely applied with an occasional 
touch of the whip in the last quarter; Himyar second, four 
lengths in front of Leveller, third, followed by Solicitor, Mc- 
Henry, Respond, Burgundy, Earl of Beaconsfield, and Charlie 
Bush in the order named. Quarter 25; half 50; three-quarters 
1 :16H ; mile 1 :43; mile and a quarter 2:09^4 ; the race 2:37%. 

DESCRIPTION OF WINNER 

Day Star is a chestnut colt, with star and light stripe down 
the face, three white stockings, a little white on the left hind 
pastern, and gray hairs scattered through the flank. He is 15 
hands 2J^ inches high, is an extremely handsome colt, neat head, 
stout strong neck, well inclined shoulders, extraordinary short 
stout back, well coupled, broad flat ribs, drops down full in the 
flank, good hips and quarters, immense stifles, broad flat legs 
which he keeps well under him and has an extra turn of speed. 
Day Star was bred by Jno. M. Clay, Esq., Ashland, near Lex- 
ington, Ky., and purchased a yearling by T. J. Nichols, Paris, 
Ky., for $825, by Star Davis out of fSqueez'em by Lexington, 
her dam Skedaddle by imp. Yorkshire, out of Magnolia, by imp. 
Glencoe, the dam of Daniel Boone, Kentucky Gilroy, &c., &c. 
Day Star has a double Glencoe cross through his sire Star Davis, 
and his great grandam Magnolia. 

SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds; $50 p. p., with 
$1,500 added; second to have $200. Dash of V/2 miles. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 19 



56 nominations, three of whom are dead. Value $4,150. Golts 
100 lbs., fillies 97 lbs. 

T. J. Nichols' ch c Day Star, by Star Davis, dam Squeez'em, 
Carter 1 

B. G. Thomas' b c Himyar, by Alarm, dam Hira, Robinson. . . 2 

R. H. Owen's b c Leveller, by Lever, dam Sly Boots, Swim.. 3 

L. P. Tarlton, Jr.'s b c Solicitor by Enquirer, dam Sallie, 
Edward 

Gen. A. Buford's ch c MoHenry, by Enquirer, dam Ontario, 
James 

Rodes & Carr's b c Respond, by Enquirer, dam by imp. 
Bonnie Scotland, R'amey 

J. M. Wooding's ch c Burgundy, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, dam 
La Bluette, L. Jones 

A. Straus & Co.'s ch c Earl of Beaconsfield, by Enquirer, 
dam Geneura, Mahoney 

Jennings & Hunt's b c Charlie Bush, by John Morgan, dam 
Annie Bush, Miller 

Time— 2 :37% 

Betting— Himyar $305; Field $110. With Himyar out, Day 
Star, Burgundy and Leveller sold about even. 

FIFTH DERBY 1879 

For the Kentucky Derby, Lord Murphy was made the favorite 
at nearly even against the field, and fully justified the high 
opinion in which he is held by his friends in running the fastest 
Kentucky Derby on record. His trainer, George H. Rice, 
brought him to the post in the pink of order. Though 
Falsetto and Strathmore were defeated they lost no credit 
and proved themselves excellent colts, and we should not be 
surprised to see Falsetto rank yet with the best of the year. 



20 HISTORY OF THE 



The entire lot went away like a platoon of cavalry in line 
to a beautiful start, Gen. Pike in the lead, Strathmore second, 
Lord Murphy, who got knocked to his knees on the first turn, 
third, Wissahicon fourth, Trinidad fifth, One Dime sixth, Ada 
Glen seventh, Buckner eighth, Falsetto ninth. Half way round 
the turn the lot were so closely bunched that it was impossible 
to distinguish the colors in the clouds of dust. At the three- 
quarter pole Ada Glen was first, lapped by Gen. Pike, Strath- 
more and Lord Murphy. At the stand Gen. Pike was a head 
in front of Strathmore second, he lapped by Trinidad, then came 
the second division a length ofiF, composed of One Dime, Wissa- 
hicon, Lord Murphy and Ada Glen, followed by Buckner 
eighth and Falsetto ninth. They had hardly gone under the 
string until Strathmore was a length in front of Gen. Pike, who 
was lapped by Trinidad. Going round the turn the pace was 
fast, Strathmore still leading at the quarter pole. Just after 
passing the quarter Lord Murphy took second place. One Dime 
third, Gen. Pike and Trinidad dropping back. Before reaching 
the half-mile Lord Murphy lapped and showed in front of 
Strathmore second, One Dime third, Falsetto fourth. Lord 
Murphy was a length in front on the lower turn and at the 
three-quarter pole, Strathmore second, two lengths in front of 
One Dime third, who was lapped by Falsetto. Entering the 
stretch Falsetto came with a rush and passed One Dime and 
Strathmore and half way down lapped Lord Murphy. A most 
exciting race took place between the pair to within forty yards 
of the stand, where Lord Murphy drew clear and won the race 
by a length and a half, Falsetto second, three lengths in front 
of Strathmore third, followed by Trinidad fourth, Ada Glen 
fifth. One Dime sixth, Gen. Pike seventh, Buckner eighth, Wis- 
sahicon ninth. Mile 1:45: race 2:37. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 21 

DESCRIPTION OF WINNER 

Lord Murphy (formerly Patmos). bay colt, star and snip 
running down over the nostrils, with two white heels behind 
extending nearly half way to the hocks. He stands full 15 
hands 3^ inches high, has a neat head and neck, plenty of 
length, good hips, quarters and stifles, with sound feet and legs. 
He has a great turn of speed, the first and greatest requisite 
in a race horse, and is a Lexington looking youngster, and must 
bring his sire, Pat Malloy, prominently to the front as one of 
the best sons of Lexington at the stud. 

Lord ]\Iurphy was bred by J. T. Carter, Gallatin, Tenn., and 
purchased the spring he was two years old by Messrs. G. W. 
Darden and G. H. Rice of Nashville, Tenn., by Pat Malloy. out 
of Wenonah by Capt. Elgee, her dam by imp. Albion, out of a 
mare by Pacific, running back through Bet _ Bosley, by imp. 
Bluster to imported Mare of Harrison of Brandon. 

SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds, $50 entrance, 
play or pay, with $1,500 added; S200 to second horse; 
dash of one mile and a half. Value of stake $3,800. Colts 100 
lbs., fillies and geldings 97 lbs. 46 nominations. 

Geo. W. Darden & Co.'s br c Lord Murphy, by Pat Malloy, 

dam Wenonah, Shauer .TTTTTT . V 1 

J. W. H. ReMiolds' b c Falsetto, by Enquirer, dam Farfal- 

letta, Alurphy 2 

George Cadwillader's b c Strathmore, by Waverly, dam 

Brenna, Hightower 3 

D. Swigert's br c Trinidad, bv Australian, dam Bennett. 

Allen 

G. W. Bowen & Co.'s ch c One Dime, by Wanderer, dam by 

Scythian, Jones 



22 HISTORY OF THE 

A. Buford's General Pike, by Longfellow, dam Nannie Mc- 
Nairy, Stovall 

H. W. Farris' ch c Buckner, by Biickden, dam Tick, Edwards. 

H. P. McGrath's br f Wissahicon, by Leamington, dam Sar- 
ong, Hawkins 

G. D. Wilson's en f Ada Glen, by Glenelg, dam Catina, Ramie 

Time— 2 :37 

Betting— Lord Murphy $175, Strathmore and Falsetto $60 
each, Trinidad $45, Ada Glen $25, Field $30. 



SIXTH DERBY 1880 

The Derby was booked a moral for Kimball, While it was a 
great disappointment to his backers to see him lower his colors to 
Fonso, he lost no credit in the race, for in our judginent it is by 
odds the best Derby ever run since its inauguration, when every- 
thing is taken into consideration. The colts carried five pounds 
more this year than heretofore, and the track was certainly a sec- 
ond slower than we have seen it any previous year, Fonso covering 
himself with honor, and must bring his sire prominently to the front. 
Fonso cut out his own work, did all the running, held the lead 
from start to finish, and won like a first-class racehorse. The 
last mile was run in 1:44^, and the last half in 51^ seconds, 
showing it to be a splendid race. Such a performance as that 
of Kimball would have won five out of six Derbies. 

With little or no delay the five went away to a good start, 
Fonso in the lead, lapped by Kimball, Boulevard third, Bancroft 
fourth, Quito fifth. Fonso cut out the work at a good pace, and 
led Kimball by a length at the three-quarters, which he held at 
the stand, Boulevard half a length from him, third, Quito 
fourth, Bancroft fifth. Going round the upper turn Foso in- 
creased his lead and passing the quarter was two lengths in front 



KENTUCKY DERBY 23 

of Kimball second, Boulevard third, Quito fourth, Bancroft fifth, 
about a length each separating the last four named. Nearing 
the half mile Kimball drew up to Fonso, when the latter received 
a cut of the whip and darted away again, Bancroft taking third 
place, Boulevard fourth, Quito fifth. It was a beautiful race 
round the lower turn. Entering the stretch Kimball was at 
Fonso's quarters, the race being reduced to a match between 
the two. Fairly in the home stretch both were whipping, Fonso 
answering gamely to the three or four licks he received, came away 
and won a splendid race a little over a length, Kimball second, two 
lengths in front of Bancroft third, he a length in front of 
Boulevard fourth, and Quito four lengths from him finished 
fifth. Half mile 53%, three-quarters 1:19^, mile 1:46^, race 
2 :37y2. The mile from the stand back to the stand was run in 
1:44^, and the last half mile in 5\% seconds. 

DESCRIPTION OF WINNER 

Fonso is a dark chestnut colt, with a star and two white 
feet behind up over the pasterns. He has grown and thickened 
greatly since last year, and stands full 15^ hands high. He is 
a very neat, wiry colt, with a good head and rather short neck, 
which runs into well incHned shoulders. He has great length of 
body, deep through the heart, good hips and stifles with sound 
feet and legs. He has the best of tempers, and is rather inclined 
to need forcing to make him run. 

He was bred by A. J. Alexander, Woodburn Farm, Spring 
Station, Ky., and purchased as a yearling by J. S. Shawhan, 
Shawhan, Ky., for $200, by King Alfonso, out of imp. Weather- 
witch by Weatherbit, her dam by Irish Birdcatcher, out of 
Colocynth. 



24 HISTORYOFTHE 



SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds, $100 entrance, 
half forfeit, with $1,500 added, of which $200 to second. 
1^ miles. 47 entries, four of whom are dead. Value $3,850. 

J. S. Shawhan's ch c Fonso, by King Alfonso, dam imp 
Weatherwitch, 105 lbs., Lewis 1 

W. Cottrill's ch c Kimball, by Buckden, dam Meta H., 105 
lbs.. Lakeland 2 

M. Young's ch c Bancroft, by Bonnie Scotland, dam Planch- 
ette, 105 lbs., Murphy 3 

W. C. AlcGavock & Co.'s ch c Boulevard, by Bonnie Scot- 
land, dam Mariposa, 105 lbs., Allen 

Dwyer Bros.' b c Quito, by King Alfonso, dam Crucifix, 
105 lbs., McLaughlin 

Time— 2:37^ 

Betting— Kimball $700, Quito $362, Fonso $222, Bancroft $50, 
Boulevard $ . 

SEVENTH DERBY 1881 

On Tuesday morning, "Derby Day," the sun rose clear and 
not a cloud was to be seen, which with westerly wind was the 
precursor of a gloriously fine day. The attendance was 
very large. All the stands and betting enclosures were 
inconveniently crowded, and in the inner field the rails 
for near a quarter of a mile were lined with people 
from six to ten deep, while the field, clad in the greenest of spring 
verdure, was thickly dotted over with every variety of convey- 
ance, from the cart to the splendid coach and landau. 

For the Kentucky Derby, only half a dozen sported 
silk for this valuable and important event. Hindoo was 
such a big favorite that little money was wagered on 
him, :he being the favorite at 5 to 2 over the field. The race 



KENTUCKY DERBY 25 



was never in doubt, but Hindoo had to have the whip, his jockey 
giving him two raps as he entered the stretch, and he won easy 
at the finish by four lengths, Leiex beating Alfambra half a 
length for second place. The official time of the race, 2:40, is 
not correct, but will have to stand. The party throwing the 
flag threw it as soon as the drum tapped, long before the horses 
reached the pole. The correct time is 2 :38>4. 

Calycanthus was not disposed to join his horses, but was 
finally brought up, Lelex in the lead, Calycanthus second, Hin- 
doo third, Getaway fourth, Alfambra fifth, Sligo sixth. Before 
reaching the three-quarter pole Calycanthus took the lead, with 
Lelex second, Hindoo third. Passing the stand Calycanthu'^ 
was half a length in front of Hindoo, second, who was a like 
distance ahead of Lelex, third, followed by Sligo, Alfambra 
and Getaway. At the quarter Hindoo was a head in front of 
Calycanthus, Lelex third, Sligo fourth. Before reaching the 
half Lelex was a length in front and the cry went up that Hin- 
doo, who was second, was beaten, Sligo third. On the lower 
turn Hindoo moved up and showed in front, and on enterin.-? 
the stretch began to loaf a little, and his jockey gave him a 
couple of raps with the whip as a reminder, and he came away 
and won easy at the finish by four lengths. Lelex beat Alfam- 
bra a half length for second place, after a whipping race home. 
Sligo two lengths from Alfambra, fourth. Getaway fifth, Caly- 
canthus sixth. Mile, 1 :47j/^ ; race, 2 :40. 

DESCRIPTION OF WINNER AND PEDIGREE 

Hindoo is a dark bay colt, with a star in his forehead and a 
slight number of gray hairs running down his face, and right 
hind foot white up to the pastern. He has grov/n and thickened 
since last year, and will make a 16-hand horse. His head is 



26 HISTORY OF THE 

plain but intelligent, and he has a stout neck, well inclined 
shoulders, stout middle piece, great depth through the heart, 
a trifle long in the back, good hips, quarters, and stifles, with 
sound feet and legs, and his action when extended is easy and 
frictionless. Hindoo was bred by D. Swigert, Stockwood farm. 
Spring Station, Ky., and purchased at two-years-old by his pres- 
ent owners for $15,000. He started nine times at two-years-old 
and won seven. He has started twice this season and won the 
Blue Ribbon 1^ miles at Lexington, Ky., in 2:38, and the 
Kentucky Derby, Ij^ miles, at Louisville, in 2:40. He has 
twenty-four more engagements this year, and, barring accidents, 
in our opinion, they all lay at his mercy, 

SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds; $100 each, 
half forfeii, or only $20 if declared out by May 1st, 1880, 
and $40 if declared out by May 1st, 1881, with $1,500 added : $200 
to second, IJ/2 miles. (62 subscribers, of whom 9 declared, and 
two of whom are void by death of nominator). Value $4,610. 
Colts 105 lbs., fillies and geldings 102 lbs. 
Dwyer Bros.' b c Hindoo, by Virgil, dam Florine by Lex- 
ington ; McLaughlin 1 

B. G. Thomas' b g Lelex, by Lelaps, dam War Reel ; A. 

Allen 2 

G. W. Bowen & Co.'s b c Alfambra, by King Alfonso, dam 

Luileme ; Evans 3 

H. P. MdGrath's ch c Sligo, by Tom Bowling dam Petty ; 

Donohue 

M. Young's b c Getaway, by Enquirer, dam by Colossus; 

Fisher 

H. P. McGrath's b c Calycanthus, by Tom Bowling, dam 

Oleander ; G. Smith 

Time— 2 :40 

Betting— ^Hindoo $500, Lelex $70, McGrath $70, Alfambra $40, 
Getaway $25. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 27 

EIGHTH DERBY 1882 

The fourteen candidates promptly assembled at the post, and 
at the fourth attempt the lot were sent away to a miserable, 
scattering start, Harry Gilmore in the lead, Babcock second, 
Robert Bruce third, Bengal fourth, Runnymede fifth, followed 
by the Pat Malloy^Canary Bird colt, Apollo. Wallensee, Lost 
Cause, Wendover, Monogram, Highflyer, Newsboy and Mistral, 
the latter getting away six lengths behind Newsboy. Passing 
the three-quarter pole Babcock was first, Bruce second, Harry Gil- 
more third, Bengal fourth, Runnymede fifth, Apollo sixth, the 
rest tailed off. Passing the stand Bruce and Harry Gilmore were 
head and head, a length in front of Babcock third, Runnymede 
fourth, Bengal fifth, Apollo sixth, the rest out of the race. No 
change on the turn, but at the quarter Harry Gilmore was a 
half length in front of Bruce second, a length ahead of Runny- 
mede third. Before reaching the half Bruce, having shot his 
bolt, retired, Babcock taking second place. Runnymede third, 
Bengal fourth, Apollo fifth. The five took closer order on the 
turn, and entering the stretch Harry Gilmore was a half length in 
front of Runnymede second, Babcock and Apollo lapped, Bengal 
close up. Half way down it looked to be Runnymede's race, he, 
running easy with his mouth wide open, and the shout went up 
that he would win, but inside the furlong pole he quit, and Apollo 
coming with a wet sail after a driving race won by a length, 
Runnymede second, two lengths ahead of Bengal third, followed 
by Harry Gilmore, Monogram, Babcock, Wendover, Mistral, 
Wallensee, Pat Malloy colt. Highflyer, Newsboy, Bruce and Lost 
Cause in the order named. First half 51^, first mile l:46li, 
mile from stand to stand 1:4834, race 2:40^. 

SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby, for three-vear-olds. $100 entrance, 
half forfeit, $20 if declared May 1st, 1881; $40 if de- 



28 HISTORY OF THE 

Glared May 1st, 1882, with $1,500 added; second to have $200. 
V/z miles. 64 entries. Colts 105 lbs, fillies and geldings 102 lbs. 

Morris & Pattoii's ch g Apollo by Ashstead or Lever dam. 

Rebecca T. Price; 102 lbs., Kurd 1 

Dwyer Bros.' br c Runnymede by Billet, dam Mercedes ; 105 

lbs., McLaughlin 2 

Bowen & Co.'s br c Bengal 3 v o by Billet dam by Mahomet; 

105 lbs.. Fisher 3 

J. B. Sellers & Co.'s ch c Wendover by Bullion, dam Experi- 
ment ; 105 lbs., Hovey '' 

W. Cottrill's ch c Harry Gilmore by Imp. Bucl:dcn, dam by 

Wagner ; 105 lbs., Gibbs 

P. C. Fox's ch c by Pat Malloy, dam Canary Bird; 105 lbs., 

Henderson 

A. Jackson's b c Robt. Bruce by Rouseau, dam Barbary ; 105 

lbs., L. Jones 

W. Lakeland's ch g Babcock by Buckden, dam Ethel Sprague ; 

102 lbs., Kelso 

T. J. Megibben's b c Newsboy by Enquirer, dam Mollie 

Hambleton ; 105 lbs., Quantrell 

Rodes & Carr's b c Wallensee by Waverley, dam Phasma ; 

107 lbs., Parker 

L. P. Tarlton's b c Mistral by Virgil, dam Glenella ; 105 

lbs., Stoval 

M. Young's ch g Lost Cause by King Alfonso, dam Nellie 

Knight ; 102 lbs., Taylor 

M. Young's b g Alonogram by Buckden, dam Monomania; 

106 lbs., Edwards 

G. Kuhns & Co.'s ch c Highflyer by Hiawatha, dam Sue 

Wynne ; 105 lbs.. Brown 

Time— 2 :40H 

Betting— Runnymede $700, Mistral $100, Wendover $100, Lost 
Cause $80, Robert Bruce $60, Bengal $60, Field $150. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 29 



DESCRIPTION AND PEDIGREE OF WINNER. 

Apollo is a chestnut gelding, bred by D. Swigert, Preakness 
Stud, Lexington, Ky. He stands 15 hands half an inch high, 
and the only white is on the left hind pastern. He has a rather 
heavy, plain head, wide jowls, good stout neck, which fills up 
his shoulders well, mounts high on the withers, deep chest, good 
length, arched loin, long quarters and hips, with excellent, clean 
and bony legs. Apollo is by Imp. Ashstead or Lever (no doubt 
by the latter), out of Rebecca T. Price by The Colonel, her dam 
by Imp. Margrave, out of Rosalie Summers by Sir Charles, her 
dam Mischief by Virginian, out of a mare by Imp. Bedford, &c. 

NINTH DERBY 1883 

If the prospects of a successful meeting were somewhat damp- 
ened by the heavy fall of rain for three days previous to its 
inauguration, ample amends were made for the postponement by 
the bright and genial sunshine that ushered in Wednesday morn- 
ing, and the large and brilliant crowd that was in attendance on. 
Derby Day. This was more to be wondered at for the reason that 
the weather had been so unseasonable, great coats and a fire feel- 
ing remarkably comfortable. Indeed in looking at the vast sea 
of upturned faces, to be seen in the Grand Stand, the lawn and 
the field, we were reminded of witnessing our first English Derb}'-, 
when Umpire, the first American candidate who had ever appeared 
for this classic event, failed to obtain a place, and the race was 
won by Thormanby, a son of the renowned Alice Hawthorne, and 
what is remarkable, it happened on the same day, just twenty- 
three years ago. 

At the first attempt the seven went away to a good start, Leon- 
atus in the lead, Raglan second, Chatter third, followed by Kellar, 
Pike's Pride, Drake Carter and Ascender. Before reaching the 



30 HISTORY OF T HE 

three-quarter pole Chatter had taken second place to Leonatus, 
Ragland third, followed by Ascender, Kellar, Pride's Pike and 
Drake Carter. There was no change at the stand, and Leonatus 
was a length in front of Chatter at the quarter, Raglan third, 
Carter fourth, Ascender fifth, Kellar sixth, Pike's Pride last. 
Before reaching the half Ascender made a spurt and was third, 
but he soon died away, Drake Carter taking third place. The 
truth of the whole affair summed up in a nut-shell is that Leon- 
atus took the lead, made all his own running, was never headed, 
and won it in a big gallop by three lengths, Drake Carter second, 
1 half length in fronr of Lord Raglan third, Ascender fourth, 
Kellar fifth, Pike's Pride sixth, Chatter last. First quarter 27y2, 
half 54, mile 1:49, race 2:43. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE WINNER 

Leonatus is a rich bay, blaze face, and two white heels behind 
above the pasterns. He stands full 15^ hands high, and is 
certainly one of the smoothest and neatest sons of his distin- 
guished sire. He has a neat, handsome head, stout neck, well 
inclined shoulders, good middle piece, with great length, excellent 
back and loins, and full hips and quarters, on sound good legs. 
He is rapid in motion, and keeps legs well under him. He was 
bred by Mr. J. Henry Miller, Lexington, Ky., and sold last winter 
to his present owners for $5,000. He is engaged in fifteen more 
stakes this year. 

SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds, $100 entrance, 
half forfeit, $20 if declared May 1st, 1882; $40 if de- 
clared May 1st, 1883, with $1,500 added; of which $200 to second, 
Ij^ miles. 50 entries, 3 void, 1 declared May, 1882, 8 declared 
May 1883; value $4,020. 

Chinn & Morgan's b c Leonatus by Longfellow dam Semper 
Felix; 105 lbs., Donohue 1 



KENTUCKY DERBY 31 

Morris & Patton's b g Drake Carter by Ten Broeck, dam 

Platiiia ; 102 lbs., Spillman 2 

N. Armstrong's ch c Lord Raglan by Ten Broeck, dam Catina; 

105 lbs., Quantrell 3 

R. C. Pate's b g Ascender by Buckden, dam Ascension; 102 

lbs., Stoval 

George Evan's ch f Pike's Pride by Imp King Ban, dam Lou 

Pike ; 102 lbs., Evans 

W. C. McCurdy's b c Chatter by Whisper, dam Clarina; 

105 lbs., Henderson 

J. R. Watts' ch c Standiford Kellar by Great Tom, dam 

Blondin; 105 lbs., Blaylock 

Time— 2:43 

Betting— Ascender $275, Leonatus $260, Raglan $135, Carter 
$125, Kellar $41, Chatter $35, Pike's Pride $20. 

TENTH DERBY 1884 

Every year the interest in the Kentucky Derby increases, and 
the desire to win also increases with breeders and owners, until 
it is looked upon as a mark of merit for the colt who is fortunate 
enough to bear off the Blue Ribbon of the Turf. More interest 
clusters in and about this race than any other of the year in 
America, and we have heard a number of prominent breeders and 
turfmen say that they would rather win the Kentucky Derby 
than any two events upon the American turf. 

Bob Miles was slightly the favorite at the start, closely pressed 
by Buchanan and Audrain, and although the quality of the nine com- 
petitors was a little below the average that have run for the race, 
it seemed to lend an increased interest to the result. The horses 
were keenly criticised on their appearance and condition and little 
knots could be seen gathered together consulting as to who would 
win. Audrain who got bumped about did not run up to his form 



32 HISTORY OF THE 

and his race for the Blue Ribbon Stakes at Lexington, in the mud, 
seemed to have taken away his speed. The Admiral behaved 
badly, trying to bolt in the first quarter, and did run out at the 
head of the home stretch. Buchanan won quite easily, and how 
much he had in hand we are unable to say. Bob Miles seemed 
to labor from the start, and the running proved what we have 
said all the spring — ^that the Derby colts of this spring, taken 
as a class, are far inferior to any previous year. 

Nine went to the post and they were started out of the chute. 
After two or three breaks away the lot went off to a pretty start, 
Bob Miles in the lead, Powhattan HI. second, Audrain thitd, 
followed by The Admiral, Loftin, Bob Cook, Exploit, Buchana)i 
and Boreas. Entering the main track The Admiral was in the 
lead and tried to bolt. Bob Miles second, lapped by Loftin, the 
remainder of the lot bunched and in close order. Passing the 
stand The Admiral was two lengths in front of Loftin second, 
a length ahead of Powhattan third, followed in close order by 
Bob Miles, Exploit, Audrain, Bob Cook, Buchanan and Boreas. 
There was no change at the quarter except Bob Miles had 
dropped back to seventh place. Passing half they began to take 
closer order, The Admiral still leading about a length, Loftin 
second, Bob Miles, who got the whip on the back stretch, third. 
Bob Cook fourth, the rest bunched. Before reaching the three- 
quarters Loftin took the lead. The Admiral behaving badly and 
dropping back, Buchanan and Bob Miles lapped second and third, 
Audrain fourth. Entering the stretch Buchanan took the lead 
and showed signs of an inclination to run out, but Murphy soon 
straightened him and he came away and won quite easily by a 
length and a half, Loftin second three parts of a length in front 
of Audrain third. Bob Miles fourth, followed by Bob Cook, 
Boreas, The Admiral, Exploit and Powhattan HL in the order 
pamed. First half 52j4, first mile 1:47, race 2:40;^. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 33 



DESCRIPTION OF WINNER 

Buchanan is a good chestnut with a small star, and stands full 
16 hands high. He is a very handsome colt, with a level and 
symmetrical frame on sound legs. The most fastidious critic 
could (but be pleased with his general formation and racing-like 
look. He was bred jointly by Capt. Cottrill, Mobile, Ala., and 
J. W. Guest, Danville, Ky. The latter sold his half interest to 
Capt. Cottrill, who in turn sold a half interest in him and his 
stable in training to Capt. S. S. Brown of Pittsburgh, Pa. This 
is Buchanan's maiden win. He started six times at two years 
old, was second five times and third once. He has started twice 
at three years old. He was unplaced in the Belle Meade Stakes 
at Nashville, 1% miles. He bolted and finished second but 
second place was given to Exploit on a claim of a foul, and won 
the Derby above. He has twenty-four additional three-year-old 
engagements. He is by Buckden, out of Mrs. Grigsby by Wag- 
ner, her dam Folly by Imp. Yorkshire, out of Imp. Fury by 
Imp. Priam, &c. 

SUMMARY 

Third Race— The Kentucky Derby, for three- vear-olds, $100 
entrance, half forfeit, $20 if declared May 1st, 1883; $40 if de- 
clared May 1st 1884, with $1,500 added; of which $200 to 
second. 1^ miles. 51 subs, of whom 16 declared and 3 dead. 
Value $4,190. 

W. CottriU's ch c Buchanan by Buckden, dam Mrs. Grigsby; 
110 lbs., Murphy 1 

R. A. Johnson & Co.'s b c Loftin by Monarchist, dam Lilly 
Babbitt; 110 lbs., Sayres 2 

^- /■ Megibben's ch c Audrain by Springbok, dam Alme; 
110 lbs.. Fishburn 3 

J. T. Williams' ch c Bob Miles bv Pat Malloy. dam Dolly 
Morgan ; 110 lbs., McLaughlin . . . , , 



34 HISTORY OF THE 

Clay & Woodford's br c Admiral by Vedette, dam Regatta; 

110 lbs., C Taylor 

R. A. Johnson & Co.'s h c Powhattan HI. by Glenelg, dam 

Florence I ; 110 lbs., D. Williams 

Wooding & Puryear's b c Exploit by Enquirer, dam Fanny 

Malone ; 110 lbs., Conkling 

R". M. McClellan's b c Boreas by Billet, dam Maggie Morgan ; 

110 lbs., O'Brien 

Time— 2 :4054 

Betting— Bob Miles $440, Audrain $400, Buchanan $400, 
Loftin $160, field $240. 

ELEVENTH DERBY 1885 

A more beautiful morning could not have been made for the 
opening day of the Louisville Jockey Club. Not a cloud was 
to be seen, and the genial rays of the sun made the day most 
charming. The Kentucky Derby grows in interest with each 
recurring year, and this was its eleventh renewal. There is 
more ante-post bettinc? on it than on any race in this country, 
and the winner is generally awarded the highest honor as a 
three-year old. 

The track was in splendid order, except the chute, which has 
not been galloped over and was deep and dusty. The grounds 
looked neat and clean with its holiday suit of whitewash, which 
was a pretty contrast with the emerald green of the grass on 
the inner field. 

The attendance was immense, the largest ever seen on a race 
track in Kentucky save the Ten Broeck-Mollie McCarthy match. 
The inner field was full of all kinds of vehicles and conveyances, 
while the training track was packed full of people from the 
head of the homestretch down past the grand stand and well 
ground the turn, nearl;y half a mile of people almost solidly 



KENTUCKY DERB Y 35 

packed. Here and there could be seen a number of heads on 
the turn peeping out under the rails, reminding one of a lot 
of frogs coming out to sun themselves. It was a glorious sight 
to see — ^the grand stand literally packed with people while the 
inner field and every available place, and the stables, tents and 
booths outside of the main course were alive with people, the 
hum and noise coming up from thousands of throats reminded 
one of a grand chorus from a distant orchestra. 

The race of the year, the Kentucky Derby came, and 
after the ten were weighed in the questioning n^ever ceased as 
to who would win until it was finally decided. We are perfectly 
satisfied in our own mind that Bersan would have won if Favor, 
his stable companion, had not crossed and interfered with him 
to such an extent at the vital part of the race — the homestretch. 
The best colt was second, and barring accidents he will demon- 
strate it before the year is over. He will make a grand race 
horse. We would not rob Joe Cotton of his laurels honestly won, 
still we believe Bersan is a better race horse over a distance 
of ground. 

Keokuk cut out the running, Playfair second, Irish Pat third, 
followed by Clay Pate, Thistle, Bersan, Joe Cotton, Favor, Lord 
Coleridge and Ten Booker. Entering the main track at the three- 
quarter pole Keokuk led, with Favor second, Joe Cotton third, 
rest well bunched. Passing the stand Keokuk still led, Bersan 
second. Lord Coleridge third, the pace slow, Irish Pat fourth, 
followed in close order by Playfair, Favor, Joe Cotton, Thistle. 
Clay Pate and Ten Booker. Bersan showed in the lead at the 
quarter, Keokuk third, Irish Pat fourth, rest bunched. At the 
half Bersan still led, Favor second, Joe Cotton third, and it 
looked like a battle between the stables of Williams and Morris 
& Patton. Entering the stretch Joe Cotton showed in front on 
the outside with Favor next, and Bersan at the pole third. Thistle 



36 HISTORYOFTHE 

fourth. Just after fairly getting into straight running Favor 
swerved over on Bcrsan, cutting him off and making him lose 
several lengths. Bersan had to pull back, and less than two 
hundreds yards from home was two lengths behind Joe Cotton, 
gaining at every stride. Joe Cotton managed to beat him on the 
post by a short neck. Ten Booker, who came very fast ait the 
finish, was a length off third, followed by Favor, Thistle, Keo- 
kuk, Clay Pate, Playfair, Irish Pat and Lord Coleridge. The 
first half 52, three-quarters 1:19, first mile 1:44, race 2:37j^. 

SUMMARY 

Third Race— The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds; $100 
entrance, h f ; $20 if declared by May 1st, 1884; $40 if declared by 
May 1st, 1885; $1,500 added, of which $200 to second. VA miles. 
69 entries. 4 void. 

J. T. Williams* ch c Joe Cotton, by King Alfonso, dam In- 
verness ; 110 lbs., Henderson 1 

Morris & Fatton's b c Bersan, by Ten Broeck, dam Sallie 

M. ; 110 libs.. West 2 

M. Young's b c Ten Booker, by Ten Broeck, dam Nellie 

Booker ; 110 lbs., Stovall 3 

Morris & Patton's b c Favor, by Pat Malloy, dam Favorite; 

110 lbs., Thompkins 

E. Corrigan's ch c Irish Pat, by Pat Malloy, dam Ethel; 110 

lbs., Murphy 

P. G. Speth's ch c Thistle, by Great Tom, dam Ivy Leaf; 

110 lbs., Blaylock 

W. Cottrill's ch g Lord Coleridge, by Buckden, dam Catina; 

107 lbs., Hughes 

R. C. Pate's b c Clay Pate, by Enquirer, dam Wampee; 110 

lbs.. Withers 

G. W. Darden & Co.'s ch g Playfair, by Plenipo, dam Annie 

C. ; 107 lbs., Conkling 



KENTUCKY DERBY 



37 



W. P. Hunt's br c Keokuk, by Long Taw, dam Etta Powell ; 

110 lbs., Fishburne 

Time— 2:37^. 

Betting— Joe Cotton $500, Biersan and Favor $215, Ten Booker 
$75, Irish Pat $40, Playfair and Thistle $35 each, Lord Coleridge 
$25. field $30. 

TWELFTH DERBY 1886 

While the weather was cloudy and hot and looked threaten- 
ing, the rain held off during the day. The track while not so 
fast as we 'have seen it was in capital condition, safe and good. 
The attendance was very large, fully ten thousand people were 
on the grounds. The populace availed themselves of free en- 
trance to the inner field, which had a large number of people, 
on foot and in all kinds of vehicles. The inside or training track 
was lined with people from the timing stand to near the three- 
quarter .pole. The Grand Stand and betting ring was crowded to 
overflowing, and the ladies were out in large numbers. For the 
twelfth Derby, ten starteji, Ben Ali was the favorite, Free Knight 
second choice and Blue Wing third. Ben Ali won it is true, but 
Vv'e doubt whether he was up to concert pitch, but we confess Blue 
Wing is a much better colt that we gave him credit of being, and 
think he ought to have won the race. He ran wide on the turn ; 
his jockey let him swerve just at the critical point of the race, 
and was only beaten three parts of a length. Free Knight ran a 
good race — indeed it is the best field we have seen since Aristide's 
year. There is hardly a starter in the race but what will pay his 
way and be a useful horse. This is the third time the race has 
been won by a son of Virgil — Vagrant, Hindoo and Ben Ali — • 
and Vera Cruz would have won save an accident at the start. 



38 HISTORY OF THE 

Seven of the starters were bred in Kentucky — Ben AH, Blue Wing, 
Free Knight, Sir Joseph, Grimaldi, Harrodsburg and Master- 
piece; and Lafitte and Jim Gray are by Kentucky owned stal- 
lions, and the sire and dam of Lijero were bred in Kentucky, 
showing the State still holds the highest place in the production 
of the horse. Take it all through it was the best race, so far 
as interest and contest are concerned, ever run for the Derby 
or any other race, and we doubt if such a field and such a con- 
test will be witnessed again during the year. Every year seems 
to add interest to this great race. It will be seen by the time 
made that the pace was a hot one from start to finish, and 
few such races from the time standard have been run so early 
in the year with 118 lbs. up and by the way this is the first year 
the weights have been 118 lbs,, and is the fastest run race. 

The start was a beautiful one, the ten horses going away on 
even terms, Blue Wing in the lead, Grimaldi second, Master- 
piece third, followed by Sir Joseph, Ben AH, Free Knight, Jim 
Gray, Harrodsburg, Lijero, and Lafitte in order named. Master- 
piece took the lead as they entered the main track, Grimaldi 
second. Blue Wing third, rest well up 'bunched. Passing the 
stand Masterpiece still led, Harrodsburg second, Jim Gray third. 
Free Knight fourth, rest in close order. There was no change 
at the quarter, but the pace was still hot. Nearing the half. 
Free Knight was a head in front of Harrodsburg second, Jim 
Gray a head behind him third, with Ben AH, Blue Wing and 
Masterpiece close up and bunched. At the three-quarter pole, 
entering the homestretch, Free Knight was a half length in 
front of Ben AH second. Blue Wing third. Now commenced the 
real struggle for the race. All three were driving, Ben AH 
and Blue Wing were head and head at the furlong pole. Free 
Knight a half length behind. Blue Wing swerved to the outside 
and lost some ground, and Ben AH gained a length or more 



KENTUCKY DERBY 39 

when he entered the stretch. Fitzpatrick rode wide on the turn, 
carrying Blue Wing out, which enabled Ben Ali to take the 
rail. After a driving race home, Ben Ali won by a scant three 
parts of a length, Blue Wing second, two lengths in front of 
Free Knight third, followed 'by Lijero, Jim Gray, Grimaldi, Sir 
Joseph, Harrodsburg, Lafitte and Masterpiece in the order named. 
Time — ^half 50, three-quarters 1 :16, mile 1.43, mile and a quarter 
2:10, race 2:36^. 

SUMMARY 

Third Race — The Kentucky Derby, for three-year olds ; $100 
entrance, h f ; or only $10 it declared on or before May 1, 1885 
or $20 if declared on or before May 1, 1886; money to accom- 
pany declaration ; with $1,500 added, of which $300 to second and 
$150 to third. 1^ miles. 107 entries 3 void by death of nomi- 
nator, 5 declared May 1st, 1885 and 52 May 1st, 1886. Value 
$5,440. 

J. B. Haggin's br c Ben Ali 'by Virgil, dam Ulrica; 118 lbs., 
Duffy 1 

Melbourne Stable's b c Blue Wing toy Billet, dam Mundane ; 
1 18 lbs., Garrison 2 

P. Corrigan's b c Free Knight by Ten Broeck. dam Belle 
Knight ; 118 lbs., Fitzpatrick 3 

S. S. Brown's b c Alasterpiece by Blue Mantle, dam Phoebe 
Mayflower; 118 lbs., West 

E. J. Baldwin's b c Lijero by Rutherford, dam Jennie D. ; 118 
lbs., I. Murphy 

Gray & Co.'s b c Jim Gray by Ten Broeck, dam Alice Gray ; 
118 lbs.. Withers 

J. G. Greener & Co.'s br c Lafitte by Longfellow, dam Sue 
Wynne ; 118 lbs., Stoval 

R'. A. S'wigert's ch c Sir Joseph by Glenelg, dam Susie Lin- 
wood ; 1 18 lbs., Conkling 

J. & J. Swigert's b c Grimaldi by Lisbon, dam Nora; 118 
lbs., I. Lewis 



40 HISTORY OF THE 

Chinn & Morgan's ch c Harrodsburg by Fellowcraft, dam 
Bonnie May ; 118 lbs., J. Riley 

Time— 2 :36J/4 

Betting— Ben AH $500, Free Knight $370, Blue Wing $260, 
Jim Gray $115; field $140. 

THIRTEENTH DERBY 1887 

The morning was cloudy and threatening, and it rained all 
around but fortune seems to favor the Louisville Jockey Club, 
and only a few drops of rain fell during the day. The attendance 
was very large, the Grand Stand, betting grounds and inner 
space were packed with people, so much so that navigation was 
almost impossible; the inner field was full of people and vehicles 
and the crowd lining the inner fence extended from the head of 
the stretch down past the Grand Stand and for an eighth oJ: 
a mile around the first turn. 

The Derby was a fairly good race, as the track was slower 
than many supposed. In our issue of last week we selected Ban- 
burg, Jacobin and Jim Gore as the three placed horses, and at 
the same time stated that the form s'hown by Montrose at Lex- 
ington was not his true form, but was unable to say what was the 
matter with the colt. We expressed the opinion that we thought 
Jim Gore would win the Derby if he did not break down in 
the race, and unfortunately his leg gave aAvay at the half mile 
pole, so his jockey, Fitzpaitrick, stated, and that he could not 
have lost the race except for the accident. Banburg could not 
extend himself in the race to-day; he neither had speed or bot- 
tom, ifrom some cause, and did not begin to show the form he 
did at Lexington in the Phoenix Stakes. Montrose took the 
lead as the lot entered the main stretch, and was never after- 
wards headed. Taken as a lot the Derby colts this season were 



KENTUCKY DERBY 41 

inferior to last year, save and except Jim Gore, who is a real 
grand young horse, who struggled gamely and finished second, 
after breaking down a half mile away from the finish. 

The start was a beautiful one, Jacobin in the lead, Ban 
Yan second, Banburg third, followed by Jim Gore, Clarion, Mont- 
rose and Pendennis. Entering the stretch Montrose led a 
length. Ban Yan second, Banburg third, rest bunched. Passing 
the stand Montrose led a length, Ban Yan second, Banburg 
third, Jacobin, Jim Gore, Clarion and Pendennis following in 
close order. No change at the quarter, but at the half Banburg 
took second place, and they went around the turn pretty closely 
bunched, Montrose &till leading a length. Entering the stretch 
Montrose still led; Jim Gore who was seen to falter at the 
half rallied and took second place as they entered the stretch, 
but was never able to get on even terms with Montrose who 
held his lead, and won by a length and a half, Jim Gore second a 
length in front of Jacobin third same in front of Banburg fourth, 
Clarion fifth, Ban Yan sixth, Pendennis beaten a hundred yards, 
seventh. First half mile 52, first mile 1:45^, race 2:39j^. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE WINNER 

Montrose is a bay colt, blaze face and several white feet, has 
neat head and neck, rather light body but clean legs, by Duke 
of Montrose, out of Patti by imp. Billet, her dam Dora by Pat 
Malloy, out of Etta, Jr. by Bill Alexander, her dam Etta by 
Star Davis, &c., &c. 

SUMMARY 

Third Race— The Kentucky Derby, for 3-year olds, foals of 
1884, $100 entrance, h f $10 if declared on or before May 1st, 
1886; $20 if declared on or before May 1st, 1887; money to 
accompany declarations; with $1,500 added; of which $300 to 



42 ^HISTORY OF THE 

second and $150 to .third. 1^ miles. 119 entries, 12 paid $10, 
66 paid $20, 1 void. Value $5,920. 

Labold Bros.' b c Montrose by Duke of Montrose, dam Patti; 

118 lbs., I. Lewis 1 

A. G. McCampbell's b c Jim Gore by Hindoo, dam Katie; 118 

lbs., Fitzpatrick 2 

R. Lisle's br c Jacobin by Jils Johnson, dam Agnes; 118 lbs., 

Stoval 3 

J. D. Morrisey's b g Banburg by King Ban, dam Rosaline; 

115 lbs., Blaylock 

Fleetwood iStable's ch c Clarion by Whisper, dam Claretta; 

118 lbs., Arnold 

W. O. Scully's ch c Ban Yan by King Ban, dam Hira ; 118 

lbs., Godfrey 

Santa Anita Stable's b c Pendennis by Virgil, dam Persia; 

118 lbs., Murphy 

Time— 2:39K 
Betting— 8 to 5 against Banburg, 2 to 1 Jim Gore, 4 to 1 
Pendennis, 5 to 1 Jacobin, 6 to 1 Ban Yan, 10 to 1 each Montrose 
and Clarion. 

FOURTEENTH DERBY 1888 

A more raw, cold disagreeable day can hardly be imagined 
than the opening day of the Louisville Jockey Club. It was 
cloudy, and a cold, raw wind blew directly across the track from 
the North; and as they have had no rain for the past fortnight 
or more, the dust blew in blinding clouds. The track had been 
watered on the homestretch which helped matters very much. 
The track was slow, and deep in dust except on the homestretch. 
The attendance was very large, the people taking advantage of 
the free entrance to the inner field ; the rails were packed, four 
or five deep, from the three-quarter pole at the head of the stretch 
to well around the first turn. The Grand Stand, Betting Ring 



KENTUCKY DERBY 43 

and lawn in front of the Grand Stand was packed, making loco- 
motion extremely difficult. 

Only seven appeared for the fourteenth renewal of the Ken- 
tucky Derby, and the Melbourne Stables Gallifet and Alexandria 
were even against the field. The race is described elsewhere but 
a few comments are necessary here. Gallifet though the day was 
raw and cold frothed and fogged greatly between the hind legs 
and on his neck, showing him to be soft, and not keyed up to 
cencert pitch. Still, notwithstanding his condition we think him 
the best colt and should have won. He made the pace hot, 51 
for the first half mile, was ridden in the deepest and meanest part 
of the track. With a good jockey he should have won. The 
Chevalier made an unaccountalDle bad show and Macbeth made 
a wonderful improvement on his race at Lexington. He swerved 
badly at the head of the stretch and seemed like he wanted to go 
out, but won quite handily at the finish. On Maobeth's running 
at Lexington we could not recommend him for a place and 
selected Gallifet, The Chevalier and White for the placed horses. 
Gallifet was second, and White third. 

The Chevalier led off, Gallifet second, Autocrat third. Entering 
the main track Zeb Ward led, Alexandria second. White third, 
rest bunched. Passing the stand Alexandria led Gallifet a head, 
followed a length off by The Chevalier, White, Autocrat and 
Zeb Ward. Gallifet took the lead after passing the stand, and 
led Alexandria a length at the quarter. The Chevalier third. 
Coming to the half Gallifet led Macbeth two lengths, who was 
head and head with The Chevalier third. Autocrat fourth. They 
ran in this order round the lower turn. White moving up to 
fourth place entering the stretch. Half way down the homo- 
stretch Macbeth took the lead and won quite "handily by a length, 
Gallifet second, three lengths in front of White third, Alexandria 
fourth, The Chevalier fifth, Autocrat sixth, Zeb Ward seventh. 



44 HISTORY OF THE 

Time--quarter 26^, half 51, three-quarters 1 :18 mile 1.4414, 
mile and a quarter 2:llj4, race 2:3854. 

SUMMARY 

{F(yr three-year olds, foals of 1886, $100 entrance, h f $10 it 
declared on or before May 1st, 1887; $20 if declared on or before 
May 1st, 1888; money to accompany declarations; with $2,500 
added; of which $500 to second and $200 to third. 1^ miles. 
95 noms. 

Chicago Stable's b c Macbeth II, by Macduff, dam Agnes; 115 
lbs., Covington 1 

Melbourne Stable's ch c Gallifet by Falsetto, dam India; 118 
libs., McCarthy 2 

W. O. Scully's ch c White by King Ban, dam Heglaz; 118- 
lbs., Withers 3 

T. J. Clay's br c The Chevalier by Prince Charlie, dam Miss 
Haverley ; 118 lbs., Lewis 

D. Gibson's h c Autocrat by Prince Charlie, dam Blomida ; 
118 lbs., Hamilton 

Melbourne Stable's ch c Alexandria by Falsetto, dam Patri- 
mony ; 1 18 lbs., Jones 

G. M. Rye's b c Col. Zeb Ward by Hindoo, dam Galatea; 
118 lbs., Blaylock 

Time— 2 :3Sl4 
Betting — Even money Melbourne Stable's pair 3^ to 1 The 
Chevalier, 10 to 1 each White and Macbeth, 12 to 1 each Zeb 
Ward Autocrat. 

FIFTEENTH DERBY 1889 

A more disagreeable day for racing could hardly been imagined. 
It was intensely hot, and the dust so thick you could almost cut 
it with a. knife. The track was watered during the night, but 
with all the water it did not lay the dust, still it was a great 
improvement, The attendance was the largest ever known on 



KENTUCKY DERBY 45 

the Louisville track except the Ten Broeck and Mollie McCarthy 
match. The crowd was so great that it was really uncomfortable 
and almost impossible to move about or get into the betting ring. 
The free entrance to the field attracted an immense crowd of 
people and vehicles, the home stretch being twenty or more people 
deep for its whole length. Notwithstanding the discomforts of 
the day, it was great racing, and it will be a long time before we 
shall see such another field of high class three-year olds. Just 
imagine over a deep dusty track, not fast, for four three-year- 
olds with 118 lbs., up to a run a mile and a half as good as 
2:34j/2, and you can at once appreciate their high class. 

It is our conviction that with a stout armed jockey up Proctor 
Knott would have won the Derby. There is no complaint against 
Barnes's riding as he did the best he could under the circum- 
stances. Proctor Knott is a tremendous big stout colt, heavy 
headed and no ninety pound boy can hold him or keep his head 
up. Before going a quarter of a mile he overpowered Barnes, 
nearly pulling him over his head, and before the race was half 
finished Barnes was exhausted pulling to keep his head up. 
With such a jockey as Murphy, McLaughlin, Hay ward or Fitz- 
patrick up we do not believe he could have lost the race. His 
future racing will tend to prove our opinion. He made all the 
running as will be seen for a mile and a quarter and then 
swerved to the outside and lost enough ground to have made him 
win by two open lengths. We would not detract from the merits 
of Spokane, the winner, as he is a great race horse, but we think 
Proctor Knott the greatest youngster we have seen in years. 

The eight went away on pretty even terms, Hindoocraft first. 
Bootmaker second, Spokane third, followed by Proctor Knott, 
Sportsman, Once Again, Cassius and Outbound. They had not 
gone fifty yards before Proctor Knott rushed to the front and 



46 HISTORYOFTHE 

led by three lengths as they entered the main track, which he 
increased to five as they passed the stand, Hindoocraft second, 
Sportsman third, closely followed by Spokane and Once Again, 
Proctor Knott held his lead past the quarter, but it was reduced 
three lengths at the half, Sportsman second, Hindoocraft third, 
rest well hunched. Coming round the lower turn Spokane took 
second place, and when they neared the three-quarter pole Barnes 
was unable to control Proctor Knott and hold his head up, 
bolted to the outside, and looked like he was going up the chute 
for a moment. This lost him some three or four lengths and 
before he could be straightened, Spokane came next to the rails 
and took the lead. Inside the sixteenth pole Proctor Knott came 
again, and after a driving race home in which Spokane swerved 
to the inner rail he managed to beat Proctor Knott on the post 
by a short throat latch, Once Again two lengths off third, he a 
head in front of Flindoocraft fourth, followed hy Cassius, Sports- 
man, Outbound and Bootmaker, in the order named. Bootmaker 
broke down, pulling up quite lame. Time, first 24^)4, half a mile 
48^2, three-quarters 1 :14><, mile 1 :41J-<, mile and a quarter 
2:09^, mile and a half 2 :34H. 

SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby for three-year olds, foals of 1886; $100 
entrance, half forfeit, $10 if declared on or before May 1, 1888, 
$20 if declared on or before May 1, 1889; money to accompany 
declarations; with $2,500 added, of which $300 to second and 
$150 to third, l^/^ miles. 94 entries. Value $5,520. 

N. Armstrong's ch c Spokane by Hyder AH— ^Interpose ; 118 
lbs., Kiley 1 

Scoggan & Bryant's ch g Proctor Knott by Luke Blackburn — 
Tallapoosa ; 115 lbs., Barnes 2 

M, Young's b c Once Again by Onondaga — Black Maria; 118 
lbs., I. Murphy , ,.,,.,.,,.,,, 3 



KENTUCKY DERBY 47 

Hindoocraft, Cassius, Sportsman, Outbound and Bootmaker, 
118 each, also ran. 

Time — 2 :34>2 

Betting — 10 to 1 Spokane and Hindoocraft, 3 to 1 Once Again 
and Bootmaker coupled, 1 to 3 Proctor Knott, 15 to 1 Cassius, 
20 to 1 Outbound and Sportsman. 

SIXTEENTH DERBY 1890 

Rain fell heavily on Tuesday nearly the entire day, which 
continued throughout the night and nearly half the day Wed- 
nesday, May 14, which made the track a sea of mud and water. 
Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather and muddy condition of 
the track the attendance was extremely large, fully up to any 
preceding day. The Derby was the third race, for which a half 
dozen put in an appearance. Robespierre was the favorite, even 
against the field, but he was beaten by Riley and Bill Letcher. 

Bill Letcher led off, Outlook second, Palisade third, other 
three bunched. No change at the three-quarters, but passing the 
stand Robespierre and Riley were head and head, Outlook third. 
Going round the turn Robespierre drew clear and led at the 
quarter with Outlook second, Riley third, Bill Letcher fourth. 
Before reaching the half Riley was in front, Robespierre second. 
Bill Letcher third, the race lay between the two. No changf? 
at the head of the stretch, Riley leading and running easy, 
Robespierre driving and Bill Letcher gaining. Riley won handily 
by a length and a half, Bill Letcher second and a length in front 
of Robespierre third, Palisade Fourth, Prince Fonso, fifth, Out- 
look sixth. First mile 1 :47, the race 2 :45. Value to winner, 
$5,460. 

SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby for three-year olds, foals of 1887; $100 
entrance, half forfeit, $10 if declared on or before May 1, 
1889, $20 if declared on or before May 1, 1890; money to ac- 



48 HISTORYOFTHE 

company declarations ; with $2,500 added, of which $300 to second 
and $150 to third. Ij^ miles. 115 noms. 

E. Corrigan's b c Riley, by Longfellow, Geneva; 118 lbs,. 
Murphy 1 

W. R. Letcher's b c Bill Letcher, by Longfellow, Ida Lewis; 
118 lbs., Allen 2 

G. V. Hankins's br c Robespierre, by Jils Johnson, Agnes ; 

118 lbs., Francis 3 

Prince Fonso 118, Palisade and Outlook 118 also ran. 
Time— 2 :45 

Betting — ^Even Robespierre, 4 to 1 Riley, 4 to 1 Bill Letcher, 5 
to 1 Prince Fonso, 10 to 1 Palisade, 20 to 1 Outlook. 

SEVENTEENTH DERBY 1891 

A cloudy and hazy morning, but still spring like day, lending 
the Louisville Jockey Club an aspect brighter than it has ever 
worn since its inauguration in 1875, combined with the great 
improvements made during the past winter and spring, there 
seems every hope of a pleasant, brilliant and successful meeting. 
We have had a remarkable season, rainy and wet during March, 
and when winter broke summer came upon us with a burst, there 
being as usual no intermediate season between winter and sum- 
mer. The country is dry; and the track deep in dust, still the 
country wears a hue of green, the trees are in full leaf, and the 
pastures clothed with a carpet of emerald green. The crowd 
to witness the seventeenth renewal of the Kentucky Derby was 
the largest and most immense ever assembled on the course, 
except at the Ten Broeck and Mollie McCarthy race, and many 
thought the crowd larger. During the years of this race men 
have written lovingly of Louisville and its track, and sounded 
the praises of the great three-year old event. The crowd was 
so great that locomotion was almost impossible, and being a 



KENTUCKY DERBY 49 

free day the inner field presented one mass of humanity from 
the head of the stretch nearly to the first quarter pole. Derby 
only brought four to the post. The race for the first mile was 
merely a big exercising gallop, the first mile in 2:01. They ran 
from the half mile pole home in 51^ seconds, and Isaac Murphy 
had to ride Kingman hard to win by a length. This is the 
slowest time a Derby has ever been run in. 

The Kentucky Derby for three-year olds, foals of 1888; $100 
entrance, half forfeit, $10 if declared on or before May 1, 1890, 
$20 if declared on or before May 1, 1891 ; money to accompany 
declarations; with $2,500 added, of which $300 to second and 
$150 to third. P/^ miles. S3 noms. Value to winner $4,680. 

Jacobin .Stable's b c Kingman, by Glengarry, Patricia; 122 
lbs., Murphy 1 

T. J. Clay's b c Balgowan, by Strathmore, Trinkitat ; 122 
lbs., Overton 2 

Eastin & Larabie's b c High Tariff by Longfellow, Christine; 
122 lbs., Williams 3 

Bashford Manor's b c Hart Wallace by Longfellow, Ste- 
phanie ; 122 lbs., Kiley 

Time— 2 :52^ 

Betting — 2 to 5 Kingman, 3 to 1 Balgowan, 10 to 1 High 
Tariff, 6 to 1 Hart Wallace. 

EIGHTEENTH DERBY 1892 

The eighteenth Kentucky Derby was run in the cold. The 
weather did not check the crowd, and fully 10,000 people watched 
the race from the grand stand and free field and cheered Azra 
and Huron as they passed under the wire. It takes more than 
bad weather to darnpen the enthusiasm over the Kentucky Derby, 



50 HISTORYOFTHE 

and only a positive assurance of poor racing will lessen the 
crowd. Signs and predictions of the weather prophets failed, 
and instead of the bright May-day weather promised by the 
bureau, the air was chilly and damp, and the sky hung with 
leaden colored clouds during the greater part of the morning 
and afternoon. In the early morning the sun shone, and thougti 
cool the indications were that the afternoon would be an ideal one 
for racing. Instead, however, a cold wind sprang up from the 
northwest and turf lovers saw their dreams of a beautiful day 
fade into typical fall weather. There was enough virtue in the 
wind, however, to dry off the track, which, with the exception 
of a little stickiness, v/as in a fair condition. The officials of the 
day were as follows : Judges — ^Col. M. Lev/is Clark, R. A. 
Swigert and Washington Hessing. Timers — ^Norvin Harris, Van 
Kirkman and Lew Tarlton. Secretaries — Joseph Swigert and 
Charles Price. Starter — ^J. B. Ferguson. Clerk of the Scales — 
L. P. Ezekiel. 

The third race was the Kentucky Derby, with three starters, 
Huron, Phil Dwyer and Azra. The betting was on the Corrigan 
pair, while Azra's few friends put up their boodle freely. Three 
minutes before the start the sam.e persons who were most 
enthusiastic at the finish were repeating over and again : "Oh ! 
what a farce the race will be. Three horses only to gallop around 
like the hippodrome races of a circus." The following is .i 
description of the race : 

From the first jump Corrigan's intentions may be read, Huron 
is to set a pace that will kill Azra, and Phil Dwyer is to win. 
Swinging the big colt to the rail, Britton gives him his head. 
Racing like El Rio Rey or Proctor Knott, he draws away from 
Azra, whom Clayton holds well in hand, and length by length 
increases his lead until five lengths of daylight lie between the 
green and light-blue jackets, Phil Dwyer, held in reserve by 



KENTUCKY DERBY 



51 



Overton, a length and a half in the rear. Nearing the first 
quarter the wrap on Azra is slackened a little and, though all 
go v/ide at the turn to seek the dryest going, Clayton takes 
ground by passing nearest the rail. Down the stretch to the 
stand they come, and it begins to be apparent that a stubborn 
contest is in progress. Huron's head is swinging, he is running 
easily, and as he swings along with his splendid action two 
lengths in the lead, a cheer breaks out. In every way he looks 
the winner, but at his heels comes one that will follow him with 
dogged courage till the last gasp. Under Clayton's good guic- 
ance, Azra is holding his own, though seemingly between two 
fires, for if Huron does not run away from him, there behind 
him is Phil Dwyer running under a pull and ready to take ap 
the fight. 

As the wire is passed Huron again increases his lead, and 
rounding the turn is three lengths to the good, while Phil Dwyer 
moves up almost on even terms with Azra. So the quarter-pole 
is passed and the critical moment of the race arrives. It is time 
for Britton to "feel" Azra. The colored rider looks back, and 
then for the first time urges Huron a little. Will Azra hold 
his own or will he cry for quarter? Has he been able to stand 
the pace? If so, Phil Dwyer must come to the front and finish 
the work. Will he quit? How quickly that question is answered. 
The moment Britton makes that move on the back-stretch Clay- 
ton loosens his wrap and Azra responds. Will he hold his own? 
He does not come with a sudden burst of speed, but foot by foot 
he nears the leader, his steady rating telling at last. P[ii! 
Dwyer's time has come. He makes no response to Overton's call, 
and is then and there a beaten horse. The race is between Huron 
and Azra. It is no longer a question as to the latter's lasting. 
The query is, ''Will Huron quit?" 



52 HISTORY OF THE 

The last quarter is neared, Huron leads, but only by a little, 
that is steadily growing less. Azra is at his saddle, at his 
withers, at his head, gaining at every stride, slowly, but surely 
forging to the front. They are in the stretch and on even terms. 
Grandsons, both, of the great Leamington, the blood of the great 
race horse that flows in their veins has no taint of the coward, 
such as that of the colt that labors four lengths behind them. 
Azra is on the inside, and Britton has pinned him so close that 
Clayton can not use his whip. The boys knees must touch as the 
two colts race head and head. The crowd goes wild. Men yell 
the name, first of one and then the other. But for a moment 
the cries of "Azra, Azra wins," drown the others. He is draw- 
ing away. Clayton is climbing up on his neck and working like 
a demon. At the eighth pole he is almost a neck in front of 
Huron. The race seems over, Huron, after setting the pace 
throughout, surely can not come again. But he does ! Britton 
has never ceased work on him, and at one bound lifts him back 
once more head to head. But that is all. The two are straining 
every muscle, the last link of speed is out in each, but as the 
fiery nostrils of the racers see-saw past each other with the 
swaying of the oustretched necks only for an instant is first 
Azra's and Huron's nose ahead. Not a whip is raised. Hands 
are too precious. Britton is riding vigorously, but Clayton is 
outdoing him. Can not he lift his mount just an inch or two 
to the front? The wire is there above them. Ten thousand 
people are yelling and Clayton puts out his supreme effort. It 
succeeds ! Azra has won. Right on the post he gains six inches, 
no more, and by that distance stands the winner of the Kentucky 
Derby of 1892. It is a grand race, and victor and loser alike 
are cheered to the echo by the excited crowd. The value of 
the stake was $4,230. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 53 

The Kentucky Derby for three-year olds, foals of 1889; $100 
entrance, half forfeit; $10 if declared on or before May 1, 1891, 
$20 if declared on or before May 1, 1892; money to accompany 
declarations; with $2,500 added, of which $300 to second and 
$150 to third. V/z miles. 3 starters. 68 subscribers. 

Bashford Manor's b c Azra, by Reform, Albia; 122 lbs., 
Clayton 1 

Ed. Corrigan's b c Huron, by Iroquois, Brunette; 122 lbs., 
Britton 2 

Ed. Corrigan's b c Phil Dwyer, by Longfellow, imp. Encore; 
122 lbs., Overton 3 

Fractional time— :25^, :51J^, 1:17^, 1:45^, 2:12, 2:41J4 
Betting — 3 to 2 Azra, 20 to 11 Corrigan's pair. 



NINETEENTH DERBY 1893 

Never since the Spokane-Proctor Knott Derby, in 1889, was 
there such a crowd gathered at Churchill Downs as that to-day. 

The weather and the far-famed Kentucky Derby were tho 
cause of it, greatly augmented by the fact that the field was free. 
It is a time-honored and commendable custom of the Louisville 
Jockey Club to give a free field on Derby and Clark days, and 
the association lost nothing by it to-day, as every inch of space 
on the grand stand side of the track was filled, and no more 
could have been accommodated. 

The weather was simply delightful, and this with a strong 
attraction on the programme is what is required to draw a large 
crowd to a race-track. It is no easy matter to estimate such a 
gathering with any degree of accuracy, but there must have 
been at least 25,000 people on the grounds. They began to 
arrive before 11 o'clock, and from that time until 3 o'clock in 
the afternoon the streets leading out to the track were lined with 



54 HISTORY OF THE 

street-cars, vehicles, equestrians and pedestrians. They came in 
all sorts of ways, from the dusty and perspiring footman to 
the elegant and flashy tally-ho, drawn by four prancing horses. 
It reminded one of the Irishman's witty paraphrase of an old 
couplet, 

"Some ride in chaises, 

And some walk, be-jases." 

Long before the hour for the first race the grand stand and 
surrounding grounds were a solid mass of restless but good- 
natured humanity, all on the qui vive for the sport so near at 
hand. Locomotion was the next thing to impossible, and those 
not content to remain in one place had a formidable undertaking 
in trying to get around. Over in the center-field a similar condi- 
tion of affairs existed. For more than a quarter of a mile 
fronting the grand stand the inner rail was hugged by a hetero- 
geneous mass of humanity, made up of men, women and children, 
white and blacks all bent upon getting the best position possible 
under the circumstances irrespective of the rights of others. Fur- 
ther back, a line of vehicles, every available inch occupied by a 
sightseer, extended nearly the entire distance of the back-stretch, 
so that only occasional glimpses of the horses could be caught by 
the occupants of the pressstand, upon whom those not present 
depended for an accurate description of the races. 

And it might be appropriately asked, what was the attraction 
that drew all this concourse of people to the same spot? What 
was it that made them endure for five hours all the discomfitures 
that surrounded them? It was not for the purpose of specu- 
lating on the results, for not one-tenth of those who were there, 
bet, or attempted to bet, or had any desire to do so. It was 
that inborn love of sport, that can be found in the hearts of the 
majority of men. It is the greatest compliment that can be paid 



KENTUCKY DERBY 55 

to a racing association for that kind of a gathering to attend 
its meetings. As a whole, it was not there to speculate but 
prompted by a feeling of admiration for deeds of prowess and 
with an earnest desire to see the best horse win. 

This was the kind of an audience that witnessed the nineteenth 
renewal of the Kentucky Derby. The event itself might be re- 
garded as somewhat of a disappointment, in the fact that the 
winner so far out-classed his field that he had too easy a thing 
of it. With Lookout eliminated, the contest between Plutus, 
Boundless and Buck McCann was a stubborn one, and not until 
very near the wire was the issue settled, as to who would get 
second place. There was no trouble about who would get first 
place ; that was settled shortly after the flag fell. There were six 
starters in the Derby, namely: Cushing & Orth's pair, Lookout 
and Boundless; Scroggan Bros.' Buck McCann; Bashford Manor 
Stable's Plutus ; J. E. Pepper's Mirage, and C. E. Railey's Linger. 
Kunze rode Lookout; R. Williams was up on Boundless; A. 
Clayton on Plutus; Thorpe on Buck McCann; Isaac Murphy 
on Mirage, and Flynn on Linger. 

Cushing & Orth's pair was odds-on favorites and the bulk 
of the big speculators' money went on the entry. There had 
been a great air of mystery about the preparation of Plutus 
for the Derby, and the talent appeared to be at a loss as to how 
to estimate him. His race showed that Trainer John Morris has 
been doing some good work with the colt and has a stake-horse 
in his stable. Plutus and Buck McCann were about even second 
choice, both to win and for place. Mirage, with Isaac Murphy 
up, found some followers, but principally "pikers," for the 
place on which odds of 3 to 1 could be had. There was a long 
price about Linger's chances with few takers. There was a 
general impression abroad that Railey's colt could not take up 
the weight and go the distance, and all who reached such a con- 



56 HISTORYOFTHE 

elusion had it down just about right. But neither Linger nor 
Mirage will ever be able to beat Lookout at any weight or dis- 
tance when the great son of Troubadour is at himself. They 
don't belong in his class. The others in the Derby are nearer 
his class, but it is my opinion that he will always hold them 
safe, under anything like equal circumstances. He won the 
Derby so easily that it places him clear out of the reach of 
anything but a high-class horse. 

Coming on the track, all the horses paraded in front of the 
grand stand and were vociferously applauded. The enthusiasm 
which the two previous races had in no wise affected, broke out 
in uproarous demonstration. Some yelled for one and some for 
another just as fancy or interest suggested, but the keen eyed 
judge of a race-horse could see the winner only in the big, 
graceful chestnut, who apparently oblivious to the excitement of 
which he was partially the cause, galloped quietly to the post. 

It was comparatively a small field but starter Pettingill had 
to line them up several times before sending them away in a 
bunch. In the break Lookout and Linger went out in the lead, 
heads apart, followed closely by Mirage, Buck McCann, Bound- 
less and Plutus in the order named the latter getting a little the 
worst of the start. Lookout shook off Linger in a few strides, 
and at the quarter was an open length to the good, with Plutus 
and Linger second on even terms, Buck McCann fourth, Mirage 
fifth and Boundless last. Going under the wire for the first time, 
it was Lookout, by two lengths and running easy, Plutus second, 
a head in front of Linger, Boundless and Mirage about on even 
terms, with Buck McCann about a half length behind them. At 
the first quarter, past the wire, the order had changed little, 
except that Lookout had increased his lead and Buck McCann 
had moved up to fourth position. At the conclusion of the mile 
the order had not changed materially, but the scene shifted in 



KENTUCKY DERBY 57 

the next quarter. Linger dropped out badly beaten and Mirage, 
on whom Murphy was working with all his might and main, 
began to go back to the trailer. In the meantime Lookout was 
romping down the stretch, five lengths ahead of Plutus, Bound- 
less and Buck McCann, who were having a desperate fight of it. 
In the order as named last above they came under the wire. 

SUMMARY 

The Kentucky Derby, for three-yeor-old colts and fillies, foals 
of 1890; $100 entrance, half forfeit, $10 if declared on or before 
May 1, 1892, $20 if declared on or before May 1, 1893; money 
to accompany declarations ; with $3,000 added, of which $400 to 
second and $150 to third, fourth to save stake. One and a 
half miles. 

Gushing & Orth's ch c Lookout, 3, by Troubadour. Christina ; 

122 lbs., Kunze ^ 

Bashford Manor's ch c Plutus, 3, by Blue Eyes, Sungleam ; 

122 lbs., A. Clayton 2 

Gushing & Orth's br c Boundless, 3, by Harry O'Fallon, 

Endless; 122 lbs., R. Williams 3 

Scoggan Bros.' ch c Buck McCann, 3, by Buchanan, Mollie 

McCann ; 122 lbs., Thorpe •* 

James E. Pepper's ch c Mirage, 3, by imp. Deceiver, Uproar ; 

122 lbs., I. Murphy 5 

C. E. Railey's ch c Linger, 3, by King Alfonso, Wait-a-While ; 

122 lbs.. Flynn ^ 

Won easily by five lengths in 2:39^, same between second 
and third. The stake was worth $4,090 to the winner. 

Betting— 7 to 10 Gushing & Orth's entry, 3 to 1 Plutus, 4 
to 5 place. 



58 HIST ORY OF THE 

TWENTIETH DERBY 1894 

It was Derby Day at Churchill Dbwns this afternoon, 
and the enclosure was crowded as it had not been for 
a long time previous. It was an ideal racing day, the 
hard rain of the morning thoroughly laying the dust. 
The rain made the track just a bit slow but this was 
more than compensated in the absence of dust. The good people 
of the Falls City were hungry to see a race and they turned out 
in large numbers, irrespective of color, class or circumstances. 
A free field made it possible for those who were unable to pay 
the price of admission to see the racing at little or no cost at 
all. There was an immense crowd in the infield, and the femce 
from the head of the stretch to the clubhouse turn was lined 
with a dense mass of humanity, each moity of which was strug- 
gling to either gain or maintain his position. 

The Derby of 1894 had not about it quite that glamour and 
fascination that has characterized several former contests for this 
event perhaps because there was no horse in it of particularly 
high-class, and of such individual prominence as to attract and 
absorb public attention for weeks prior to the race, which reaches 
the public thru the medium of the press.- Horses are something 
like men in that some of them possess a kind of magnetism 
that draws around them a coterie of admirers, who become as 
much infatuated with him as does the most ardent admirers of a 
political leader. Such a horse was Proctor Knott, and never 
before nor since in the West, was as much written about and as 
much attention paid to a horse as was to him. The press teemed 
with articles about him from day to day, for weeks prior to the 
Derby of 1889, so that when the great day rolled around thousands 
of people went to the track impelled by an uncontrollable curi- 
osity to see the horse that had been written so much about. Well, 



KENTUCKY DERBY 59 

every one who went on that day, saw a race, the like of which 
they never saw before nor since. The idol was dethroned but 
even in defeat he was greater in the hearts of his admirers than 
was the winner. 

But the Derby this afternoon presented none of the attractive 
features of that great event won by Spokane. The horses trained 
here and, of course, around whom most of the local interest would 
naturally attach had not shown any trials upon which to place 
much faith in their prowess, with the possible exception of 
Pearl Song. The others had been tried and found wanting, and, 
as a matter of course, the public could not make an idol of com- 
mon clay. Along up the line from Memphis to this meeting 
came a horse that had run races at three other tracks with con- 
siderable success, and whose muscles had been hardened for a 
journey of a mile and a half by actual racing, which is admitted 
by all trainers to be a better conditioner than private work. This 
horse is Chant, and he won the Kentucky Derby this afternoon 
just as he pleased. There may have been horses in it that will 
be better than he later on, but there was nothing in it that was 
within ten pounds of him to-day. There was nothing in it th-^t 
could make the son of Falsetto stretch his neck and think seri- 
ously that he was running for a stake or merely out for an 
exercise gallop. The time was exceedingly slow, and this was 
partially due to the soft condition of the track, but more particu- 
larly due to the fact that there was nothing in the race that 
could make Chant run any faster. Chant was a strong favorite 
in the betting, his odds being uniformly 1 to 2, but after viewing 
his easy victory one was impressed with the idea that those odds 
were really quite liberal. It was only a matter of loaning one's 
money to the bookmakers for a little while, to be taken back 
shortly with fifty per cent interest. There were five starters in 
the Derby all with the same impost — 122 pounds. Goodale was 



60 HISTORY OF THE 

on Chant; R. Williams on Pearl Song; Overton on Sigurd; Kay 
on Al Boyer, and Irving on Tom Elmore. As remarked before 
Chant vi^as a strong favorite, and Pearl Song was second choice. 
Not a few backed the latter to win, and as is always the case 
in every race, straggling bets went on each of the others to win, 
acting under the idea, it is supposed, that lightning is likely to 
strike anywhere. While Starter Pettingill had considerable 
trouble with each of his other fields, it was quite an easy matter 
to send off five well trained horses on a line, hence, with little 
delay, the flag flashed on the Kentucky Derby of 1894. Sigurd 
was the first to show in front, and he held that position for a 
quarter of a mile, but apparently on probation, for when he 
pleased Chant passed him and he pleased to do it coming down 
the stretch the first time. Passing under the wire at the com- 
pletion of the first half mile. Chant was leading by two lengths, 
and to the practical eye of the turfmen it could be seen then that 
he had his field beat, as he was running very easily, with his 
mouth pulled open, while the others were struggling behind hinij 
in vain efforts to catch up. To make a long story short, it is 
only necessary to say that Chant led all the way and won simply 
without an effort. It was about as badly a strung out field as 
was ever seen. Pearl Song came in ten lengths behind Chant; 
Sigurd was about the same distance behind Pearl Song; 
Al Boyer was twenty lengths or more in the rear of Sigurd, 
and Tom Elmore was beaten off and his jockey pulled him up 
half way down the stretch. 

May 15, 1894,— The Kentucky Derby, for three-year old colts 
and fillies (foals of 1891) $100 entrance, half forfe't: $10 if 
declared on or before May 1, 1893; $20 if declared on or before 
May 1, 1894; money to accompany declaration; with $2,500 added, 



KENTUCKY DERBY 61 

of which $300 to second and $150 to third. One mile and a half. 

Closed with 55 nominations. 

Leigh & Rose's b c Chant, 3, by Falsetto, Addie C. ; 122 lbs., 

1 to 2, Goodale 1 

C. H. Smith's ch c Pearl 'Song, 3, by Falsetto, Pearl Thorn ; 

122 lbs., 3 to 1, R. Williams 2 

Bashford Manor's ch g Sigurd, 3, by Pardee, Lady Salyers ; 

122 lbs., 20 to 1. Overton 3 

Anderson & Gooding's b c Al Boyer, 3, by imp. Deceiver, 

Bayadere ; 122 lbs., 5 to 1, Ray 

S. K. Hughes & Co.'s br g Tom Elmore, 3, by Julien, Ems; 

122, lbs., 20 to 1, Irving 

Time — 2:41. Won by six lengths, fifteen lengths between 
«iecond and third. Value to winner $4,020. 

TWENTY-FIRST DERBY 1895 

The Kentucky Derby this year went to a Lexington owned 
and trained horse. Halma, the black son of Hanover and Julia 
L., owned and trained by Byron McClelland and ridden by Per- 
kins, won the classic event Monday, in the easiest kind of style, 
going the mile and a half journey in 2:37^. It was the slowest 
rjace of the day, and it looked like Halma could have gone the 
distance at least a second and a half faster had he been pushed 
to it. 

The association was especially favored with good weather 
Monday, and a lovelier day for racing could hardly have been 
made to order. 

The story of the Derby is quickly told as there were no 
sensational features about it. Only four horses started, Halma, 
Basso, Laureate and Curator. Halma was a 2 to 5 favorite, but 
even at this short price he was pretty heavily backed. Mr. Nick 
Finzer's colt Laureate, was heavily played for the place at 3 to 5, 
especially by the Louisville contingent, who were patriotic and 



62 HISTORY OF THE 

backed their home horse for the position at the finish that seemed 
possible for him to obtain. Basso was held for the place at about 
the same price as Laureate, and the Chicago owned horse was 
pretty heavily played for the place. The matter of starting the 
field of four was soon disposed of and the quartet went off well 
together. Curator took the lead and quickly separated himself 
from his companians, holding the lead for nearly half a mile, 
but only on sufference. Coming near the wire for the first time, 
Halma took the lead, and to make the story short, held it easily 
to the end. Basso trailed all the way until entering the stretdhC 
for the final home run when he came up and challenged Laureate 
who had been in second place since the end of the first half mile. 
Basso took second position half way down the stretch and thus 
they finished, Halma easily hy three lengths, Basso second by a 
length and Laureate third by five lengths. 

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year old colts and fillies (foils 
of 1892) ; $5 to accompany the nomination ; $10 to be paid 
May 1, 1894; $20 to be paid May 1, 1895; $100 additional to 
start, with $2,500 added, of which $300 to second and $150 to 
third ; fourth to save stake. One mile and a half. 

B. McClelland's blk c Halma, 3, by Hanover, Julia L; 122 
lbs., 1 to 3, Perkins 1 

C. H. Smith's b c Basso, 3, by Falsetto, Ethelda ; 122 lbs., 

9 to 2, Martin 2 

Pastime Stable's ch g Laureate, 3, by Volante, imp. Laurel; 
122 lbs., 5 to 1, A. Clayton 3 

Bashford Manor Stable's b c Curator, 3, by Alarm, Katie 
Creel ; 122 lbs., 20 to 1, Overton 

Time— 2 \Ziy2 



KEN TUCKY PfeRBY 63 

TWENTY-SECOND DERBY 1896 

The Kentucky Derby is over and Ben Brush wears the 
crown, hut his victory was obtained only by the narrowest 
of margins, and while his neck was clothed with flowers after 
the race, his sides were sore and bleeding from the marks 
of the spur, and his giant muscles ached as they never did 
before. Simms gave him the garlands, Ben Eder caused 
the other things. Ah! it was a "hoss-race!" Such a field of 
three-year olds had not met since the old standard of Spokane- 
Proctor Knott Derby, in which Once Again, Bootmaker, Hindoo- 
craft, Cassius, Sportsman and Outbound followed behind the 
fighting leaders. And in the finish of the race to-day there was 
the same desperate, hair-raising finish, which marked that most 
famous of Derbies. Ben Brush was all out. Not only that but 
he needed all of the skill and strength and vim of a jockey 
famous on two continents to help his quivering nostrils first 
under the wire. And Vvithal he is the best horse in the race. 
Not that Ben Eder with jockeys changed might not and probably 
would have won, but it was a matter of condition. Ben Eder 
was fit to a hair. Made fit in the only way to secure perfect 
condition, i. e. in actual racing, and McGuigan, after three months 
of constant care and thought, brought him to the post as ex- 
quisitely adapted for this particular race as any modiste fitted 
a Worth gown to a Parisian belle. There is now no doubt that 
all of Ben Eder's "prep" and races down the line were made 
with an eye single to this one race. And how artistically Bil! 
McGuigan managed it. Always racing, yet taking on no penalty, 
and yet thanks to Lady Inez the only genuine "Umbrella" Mc- 
Guigan still took down the money. Then came the time when 
Lady Inez would no longer do. The finishing touches must be 
given; the r?izor edge put oti. This was done, and when Ben 



64 HISTORY OF THE 

Eder cut a hair at Nashville his trainer knew he was ready and 
that in the Kentucky Derby Ben Eder would race the race of his 
life. And he did. He will never run a better one, perhaps, 
while Ben Brush will. This is the difference. 

Ben Brush, on the other hand, was in his first race of the 
season, and while he was by no means much too "high" and out 
of condition, still he had a host of other engagements up the 
line, some of them far richer in money than the Kentucky Derby. 
Ten thousand seemed to await him at Oakley, $12,000 at Latonia 
and $20,000 at St. Louis and Mr. Dwyer is not a sentimental 
man. His trainer could not afford to have Ben Brush too fine, 
and when the struggle came with Ben Eder the Bramble colt 
had only his class in his favor, and this was supplemented by 
Simms. 

It is true there were many spectators who honestly believe 
that Ben Eder won, but the obstruction offered by the judges* 
box makes it impossible for anybody but the judges or those 
in the timers' stand to tell, and there seems no doubt, from the 
statements of those in these positions, that Simms (as a great 
jockey will) saved just one more effort in Ben Brush and using 
it in the last desperate leap, shot the hair on his nose in front of 
his shorter whiskered opponent. 

Then too, there must be considered in estimating a popular 
verdict the natural and noble disposition to cheer the under dog 
when he gains an advantage and the sportsmanlike instinct to see 
an overwhelming favorite beaten. 

First Mate ran like the flashy cur that he showed himself to 
be in all of his races. He will likely do in shorter contests or 
in which he can overwhelm his opponents by a bust of his speed, 
but nature obviously designed him for the role of a gentleman's 
saddle horse, in which he can show high head and flaming tail 
in harmless curvetting, which will not be taken as a challenge 
to battle — at which his soul sickens. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 65 

The surprise was in the awful performance of Ulysses. Those 
who had seen the colt work did not like his going, hut in the 
name of wonder what was "Brown Dick" thinking of to throw 
away that hundred starting money on a dog which may not win 
it back in his whole year's campaign. Surely a trainer like "Dick" 
could not have been so deceived. I am of the opinion that 
irresistible Secretary Price buncoed "Dick" into starting a colt 
who had no more pretentions to being a Derby horse than honest 
"Dick" has of being a dude. 

Semper Ego somewhat redeemed himself for his poor showing 
at Lexington, and may be dangerous to some of the cracks yet, 
and The Dragon ran his usual good, honest race, doing the best 
that is in him. Parson and The Winner had no business in the 
Derby and nobody thought they had, but probably only started 
as a compliment to a very popular track management. 

With the aid of the form sheet below the story of the race 
is soon told. The Dill starting machine, which resembles that of 
Curly Brown and is the work of a Louisville man was used in 
all the races except the Derby, but in the big race Col. Chinn 
used the old flag flat-footed and unaided. There were several 
break-a-ways in all of which Ben Brush was prominent, and 
which were principally caused by First Mate's fiery desire to 
run. Incidentl}^ it was comical to see what a difference was 
presented by this degenerate son of Shipmate when he reached 
the same spot again after going once around the yellow circle. 
Then he wanted to lay right down and be put to bed. He never 
cared if he never saw another horserace as long as he lived and 
his craven heart called loudly for action by the humane society 
forbidding the use of spurs. 

They were finally off with Ben Eder in the lead, but First 
Mate shot to the front at once and nearly pulling Thorpe's arms 
from their sockets set a merry clip past the stand, down the back 



66 HISTORY OF THE 

stretch and around to the next turn. Ben Brush had not been 
lagging, but with Simms almost urging the sluggish colt had been 
laying up in fourth position. At the turn from the back stretch 
Simms leaned far over his mount's neck and urged him to the 
front. He soon overhauled First Mate, who had not thought 
the race would be so long, and turned in for home with a good 
lead and the race apparently already won. But the white face 
of Ben Eder had followed him through like a ghost and was 
coming on the outside like a flash of light. Running free and 
strong this true son of Fonso showed the heritage of a Derby 
winning sire. The family prestige must be maintained and he 
bid fair to do it. For one fleeting instant the white face showed 
before the red. But Ben Brush, too, came from an unconquered 
race and the blood of Bramble and old Bonnie Scotland surged 
through his veins as responding to the touch of steel his extended 
nose was thrust again an inch in front. Then Tabor made the 
mistake of his life. His horse was running true and com- 
paratively fresh. The spurt of Ben Brush was only a spasmodic 
effort. He would have come back before the wire was reached. 
But Tabor reached for his whip and Ben Eder losing his jockey's 
aid faltered a trifle. It was now a battle of jockeys. Both urged 
their mounts with whip and spur, but Tabor was riding all over 
his horse while Simms lifted his mount at every stride. On they 
came nose and nose until with an expiring effort Simms struck 
the wire first. It was probably the only point in the last fifty 
yards at which a difference could be detected between the two 
horses. 

The crowd was such as only a great race can bring out and 
then only in Kentucky. The railroads and steamboats from all 
directions poured thousands of people into the city and vehicles 
of every description from carriages to spring wagons kept up 
a Steady procession out the driveways to the track, while an end- 



KENTUCKY DERBY 



less chain of street cars discharged their human freight at the 
jockey chib gates. Over ten thousand people are officially reported 
to have paid admission, while thousands of ladies and compli- 
mented visitors doubtless brought the attendance up to the 15,000 
mark. The stands and tall steps were packed and the crowd 
stood thick all along the broad space between the track and stand 
and extended down to the fence beyond the betting shed. A fea- 
ture was the social prominence given the occasion and reminded 
one of the old times when Col. Clark set the fashion in Louisville 
and led the way on his tally-ho to the races. 

The Courier-Journal gives the following statements from the 
judges: 

"It was a great race — one of the greatest I ever saw. We can 
not but regret, however, that Mr. McGuigan did not have a jockey 
who could do his colt justice. With an exchange of riders Ben 
Brush would certainly have been beaten to-day. He is a race 
horse of the highest class, however, and I think this race will do 
him much good. There was no doubt in the world about the 
finish. Simms simply lifted Brush a foot or so in front at the 
last jump. 

For 'three-year-olds (foals of 1893), $5 to accompany the 
nomination; $15 to be paid May 1, 1895; $30 to be paid May 1, 
1896; $100 additional to start. The Club to guarantee the value 
of the stakes to be $6,000, of which $700 to second and $300 to 
third. Colts to carry 122 pounds ; geldings (at time of starting) 
119 pounds; fillies 117 pounds. Those not having won a race 
for three-year-olds (without respect to sex) of the value of 
$1,500 allowed 5 pounds; maidens, 10 pounds. One mile and 
a quarter. 171 nominations. 

Index Starters Jockeys St. ^ 

Ben Brush, 117 Simms 2 4 

Ben Eder, 117 Tabor 1 4 

Semper Ego, 117 Perkins 3 2 



^4 S. 


F. 


Betting 


4 1 h 


1 n 


1 to 2 


5 2 1 


2 8 


12 to 1 


3 4 2 


3 8 


9 to 1 



68 HISTORYOFTHE 

First Mate, 117 Thorpe 6 1 1 3h 44 5 to 1 

The Dragon, 117 Overton 8 6 5 5 2 5 4 20 to 1 

Parson, 109 Britton 7 7 7 7 6>^ 50 to 1 

The Winner, 117 Walker 4 3 2 6 7 30 to 1 

Ulysses, 117 R. Williams 6 8 8 8 8 8 to 1 

Time at post 20 minutes; start good; won in a fierce drive. 
M. F. Dwyer's b c Ben Brush, by Bramble — Roseville. 
Hot Springs Stable's b c Ben Eder, by Fonso — Workmate. 
Fractional Time— :25, :49H, 1:15^, 1:42, 2:07^. 

TWENTY-THIRD DERBY 1897 

The twenty-third Kentucky Derby has been won and Typhoon 
II. wears the laurel wreath. It was a splendid race and the 
winner earned his victory fairly and honestly, leading from start 
to finisth, winning a race that, for the track was extraordinarily 
fast, with .the pick of three-year olds of the West behind him. 
Ornament was second. Dr. Catlett was third. Dr. Shepard fourth, 
Goshen fifth, and Ben Brown, the pride of Newport, last. 

To Typhoon must be fairly conceded the race on its merits. 
He won squarely, fairly and honestly the prize, but it must also 
be as fairly conceded that he had to divide the honors. Probably 
two-thirds of the turfmen who saw the race still believe that 
Ornament is the better colt, and with equal luck, would have 
won, and while Typhoon showed great speed and endurance. 
Ornament added to this by as thrilling a display of gameness 
as was ever witnessed on a race course. With the worst of the 
going he raced from the whip like the true thoroughbred that he 
is, and in the last quarter, which is the crucial test, cut down 
Typhoon's two lengths of daylight to a scant neck. Great colt 
as he is, it was a lucky win for Typhoon, and probably even his 
owner would not care to have him measure strides again with 
his so recently defeated opponent. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 



Withal Typhoon is by no means the faint-hearted sprinter 
that his early races indicated ; he shows a strong infusion of the 
good old stout Glenelg blood, and if Ornament can beat him 
he cannot give him much and do it. 

The race was a beautiful one, and the following description, 
written by Mr, E. L. Aroni, turf editor of the Louisville Courier- 
Journal, could scarcely be excelled in accuracy as well as 
graphic power. 

'*It lacks eight minutes of four o'clock when the six colts 
line up. Ornament begins to dance a little, and the jockeying of 
the boys on the other starters causes a wait. Typhoon does not 
relish the delay, and prances back of the field. In a few minutes 
they move up and break, but Typhoon whirls around and the flag 
does not fall. A minute later, when they have been at the post 
only six minutes, they break once again. This time they are 
caught in line with less than half a length between first and last. 
Down go the red and yellow squares. There is a roar from the 
crowded grand stand, and the twenty-third Kentucky Derby 
is begun. 

"What all careful watchers of .the turf expected comes to 
pass. Typhoon sweeps to the front, with the others after him. 
Garner with admirable judgment swings the big chestnut toward 
the dry middle of the track as they round into the stretch. 
Goshen and Ben Brown are lapped on him, lying toward the rail, 
but on good going. Dr. Shepard is still near the inside, while 
behind come Ornament and Dr. Catlett, the slowest to get 
in motion. "Teen" Williams starts to work through the bunch 
with Dr. Catlett, choosing the faster part of the track. Clayton, 
on the other hand, carries Ornament toward the rail. He saves 
ground, bearing out on the others as strongly as possible to get 
good going, but thereby using energy that his mount will need 
later in the race. 



70 HISTORYOFTHE 

"Rating towards the stand Typhoon's splendid burst of speed 
is in evidence. )He comes like a wild horse opening a gap of 
three daylight lengths — a yellow streak, like that other one that 
came flying along the outer rail across the track eight years ago, 
when Proctor Knott raced home just one jump behind Spokane. 
Like Proctor Knott in many ways this same Typhoon — in color, 
action and the unconquerable desire to lead his field. 

"Passing the stand Ornament is the nearest to him. Dr. 
Sihepard is at the favorite's side with Ben Brown on even terms 
with him. Dr. Catlett is close up and running strongly, though 
showing no great speed, while Goshen even this early is in trouble. 

"Scarcely a change is to be noted as they round the turn and 
near the finish of the first half-mile of their journey. Dr. 
Shepard is hanging on better than was expected and Dr. Catlett 
is striving gamely to lie with the flying leaders. But they are 
out of it clearly barring falls and sudden deaths. As for Ben 
Brown and Goshen they are simply striking examples of the dif- 
ference between stake and plater class regardless of the time 
test. They are lost in the dim distance before the end of the 
first half-mile. 

"The two Doctors are good colts, and game colts, but from 
the time the field straightened into the backstretch, they too may 
be dismissed from comment. They strive hard, but that chestnut 
demon in front is breaking their hearts, and their utmost efforts 
do not save them from falling foot by foot farther back from any 
chance in the final struggle for the prize. 

"It is a duel. To the uninitiated Typhoon seems to be merely 
rating in front with ample in reserve. To those who know the 
colt it is soul-stirring to see that other little chestnut colt buck- 
ling to his work, holding that lead down to three lengths and 
refusing to be outfooted by a splendid sprinter. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 71 

"Around the far turn Clayton throws the whip into Orna- 
ment's side, and he runs out from under it marvelously. A 
full length is closed, but Clayton settles down to hand-riding 
again and no more of the gap is closed. Again he does this 
as the finish of the first mile is passed. Again he changes his 
tactics. And still Typhoon races in front. 

"Garner is proving himself a rider of fine quality. He ts 
coaxing Typhoon. He is handling a colt with hand-riding, and 
it may be stated right here that no prettier bit of that same 
sort of riding has been seen on the Louisville track since the 
best days of Isaac Murphy, with the one exception of Simms' 
finish on Ben Brush. 

"Gamer looks neither to right nor left. He has the race if 
he can hold. He swings Typhoon wide into the homestretch, 
landing him in the best and dryest path. Ornament must catch 
that colt if there is hope for him to win. He must get to 
Typhoon's throat-latch and ask him the question of courage. 
Clayton takes a chance. He hugs the rail and saves at least a. 
length. Then, wisely, he bears out toward the hard going. Orna- 
ment is closing on Typhoon. 

'Clayton goes to the whip at the eighth pole and again 
Ornament comes forward from under punishment. He is nearing 
Typhoon, What is that boy Garner going to do? Every ounce 
in Typhoon is out ! If Garner has not a wonderfully cool head he 
will drop the rein and lift the whip. He does not do it. He 
looks straight ahead. He is climbing forward on the leader's 
withers coaxing him on, coaxing him always on. Typhoon is 
all out, but Ornament, too is staggering a length back and the 
wire is overhead. 

"Ornament is gaining, gaining at every jump, running from the 
whip, ready to go on until he drops. But Typhoon, with that 
same steam-engine action with which he gained his lead, is hold- 



n HISTORY OF TH E 

ing it. The wire is reached. Garner is still climbing and coaxing, 
Ornament is still fighting a neck back, and Typhoon II., is 
winner of the Kentucky Derby of 1897." 

For three-year-olds (foals of 1894) ; $5 to accompany the 
nomination; $15 to be paid May 1, 1896; $30 to be paid Marcli 
1, 1897; $100 additional to start. The club to guarantee the value 
of_ the stakes to be $6,000, of which $700 to second and $300 to 
third. Colts to carry 122 pounds; geldings (at time of starting), 
119 pounds; fillies, 117 pounds. Those not having won a three- 
year-old race of the value of $1,500, allowed five pounds; maidens 
ten pounds. One mile and a quarter. Closed with 159 nomina- 
tions. One mile and a quarter. 

Index Starters Jockeys St, V2 Va S. F. Betting 

(325)Typhoon II, 117.... Garner 1 13 12 12 Ih llto5 
(186) Ornament, 11 7.. A. Clayton 5 22 26 28 2 25 7 to 5 
(404) Dr. Catlett, 117.R. Williams 6 4 1 4 8 4 10 3 4 4 to 1 
Dr. Shepard, 117... J. Hill 4 3 4 3 6 3^ 4 30 15tol 

(336) Goshen, 117 Wilhite 2 6 6 6 5 15 to 1 

(284)Ben Brown, 117. . .Ballard 3 5352516 6tol 

Start fair; won with first 2 driving hard. Time — 2:12^, 
J. C. Cahn's ch c Typhoon II, by imp. Top Gallant-Dolly 
Varden. 

TWENTY-FOURTH DERBY 1898 

Kentucky is happy. The Kentucky Derby on Wednesday last 
was won by a Kentucky horse, bred, owned and trained, while 
Memphis and the Southern talent are clothed in sackcloth and 
ashes. The gallant Plaudit lowered the colors of the hitherto 
invincible Lieber Karl. 

The day of the great event opened gloomy and showery, and 
the weather, therefore, reduced the crowd which would have 
otherwise been perhaps the greatest in the history of this famous 
race. Before the races began, however, the rain ceased and a 
brilliant assembly saw the 24th Kentucky Derby, and even in 



KENTUCKY DERBY 73 

numbers the crowd suffered little in comparison with previous 
Derby Days, from ten to fifteen thousand people being present. 
The track had been deep in dust, and the light showers of the 
morning made the track a little slow and soggy, but by no means 
sloppy or muddy. 

Col. M. Lewis Clark was presiding judge and Secretary Price 
his associate. 

Thirteen bookmakers were in line and there was business for 
twenty. 

Lieber Karl's Memphis performances had made him the hot- 
test tip that in recent 3^ears has started for the Derby. Although 
all of the trainers at Louisville had been confident that Plaudit 
would win the Derby, as shown in the reports of the Louisville 
correspondent of The Record, the Memphis tip was brought up 
so hot and strong by the Southern delegation, that, with few 
exceptions, Plaudit's sturdiest friends succumbed and sadly con- 
cluded that after all the Memphis Hindoo would beat their pet. 
The most notable exceptions were Dr. J. D. Neet, who bred 
Plaudit and who was there to pull for the colt; "Brown Dick," 
who trained him as a two-year-old, and Willie Simms, who 
was to ride him. Albert Simons, his trainer, felt the responsibility 
too keenly to commit himself to an expression of opinion and 
John E. Madden, the owner, had gone to New York two days 
before with Plaudit's half brother Glenheim, of which he is said 
to have a higher opinion of even than Plaudit. Major Thomas, 
who owned Himyar when Plaudit was sired, did not come down 
from his Lexington home to see the great son of his great sire 
perform. 

The bookies had nearly all come from Memphis, and were 
thoroughly imbued with the belief that no horse on earth could 
beat Lieber Karl, and that every dollar they bet against him 
was thrown away. Hence they tentatively put up 9 to 20 Lieber 



74 HISTORY OF THE 

Karl and 2 to 1 Plaudit. This was soon changed to 7 to 20 
Lieber Karl and 2^ to 1 and 3 to 1 Plaudit, and 2 to 1 the field 
against Karl. As the other two starters— Isabey and Han d'Or 
— were considered to have no earthly show for first money the 
bulk of the money was forced on Plaudit by the prohibitive price 
on Karl, and the bookies were probably losers by the race, al- 
though Mr. Schorr was said to have bet heavily on his colt. 

Karl is an impressive looking fellow, with a high-headed, 
dashing way of going, and duly impressed the spectators as he 
worked by the stand. He is a handsome horse, much resembling: 
in appearance and gait Typhoon U and First Mate. Plaudit, on 
the other hand, though more blood-like, is the least imposing 
looking of all Cinderella's great sons and is withal a sluggish 
racer. He has, however, a clean, low frictionless stride far 
preferable to the high sweeping action of his rival, and his clean- 
cut thoroughbred lines and splendid chest indicated that he had 
both gameness and stamina. 

There was little delay at the post, and when the flag fell Lieber 
Karl at once shot to the front, and came by the stand like a wild 
horse, with Burns pulling with might and main and keeping the 
rank colt well within himself. Plaudit was on the outside and 
running last, but easily, and the others right on the flying Karl's 
heels. Simms sent Plaudit forward, and when the back stretch 
was reached his red jacket flashed in front of Isabey and Han 
■d*Os; who were never noticed again in the race. Lieber Karl was still 
runnihg like a locomotive, but Simms set sail for him and before 
the middle of the back stretch was reached had his head at the 
leader's flanks and held his place, though he seemed to be ex- 
tended, while Karl was apparently well in hand. As they struck 
the next turn Plaudit made a move to go up but Burns let out 
a link and Karl shot away, Simms began to ride, however, and 
the sluggish Plaudit, as if waiting to be called on, held his own 



KENTUCKY DERBY 75 

at Lieber Karl's tail. Straightened into the run home Simms 
drew his whip and at the first touch of the lash Plaudit shot 
forward and slowly drew up to his rival's head, and at the last 
eighth pole they were on even terms. Karl for the first time this 
season had been collared. Not till then did Burns begin to urge 
his mount, and soon the catgut was raising welts upon Karl's 
heaving sides, while Simms was vigorously plying the lash to 
Plaudit. It was a desperate duel for a few strides, and then 
Plaudit gamely responding drew away and the race was over. 
Lieber Karl was all out, and while Simms rode the sluggish, 
Plaudit to the end, he no longer needed the lash and finished with 
something to spare by a full length. 

When the winner trotted back to the stand, the heartiest ova- 
tion tendered a Derby winner in recent years was given him. 
The crowd surged through the gates and over the fence and it was 
necessary to call a policeman to keep the enthusiastic crowd from 
the horse's heels. A wreath of red ro&es was placed about the 
victor's neck, and as he was led before the stand the crowd — 
ladies and all — arose and cheered the hero to the echo. 

Kentucky Derby ; for three-year-olds ; guaranteed value $6,000. 
1 mile and a quarter. 

Index Starters Jockeys St. Vz Va S. F. Betting 

Plaudit, 117 Simms 3 24 28 28 11 3 to 1 

(740) Lieber Karl, 122 Burns 2 L)4 12 1^/4 2 20 1 to 3 

191 Isabey, 117 Knapp 1 3h 3^ 3nk ZZ 12tol 

Han d'Or, 117 Conley 4 4 4 4 4 25 to 1 

Start good; won driving. 

Post 4 minutes. Lieber Karl was rank and Burns had him 
under a stout pull to the head of the stretch ; he tired badly in 
the last furlong. Fractional time— 0:25^^, 0:50^, 1:17, 1:30, 
1 :43i/4, 1 :55^, 209. 

J. E. Madden's br c Plaudit, by Himyar, imp. Cinderella, 



Id HISTORYOFTHE 

TWENTY-FIFTH DERBY 1899 

The twenty-fifth Kentucky Derby was run on Thursday, 
May 4, and was won easily by A. H. and D. H. Morris' Manuel, 
ridden by Fred Taral, who had come on from New York ex- 
pressly for the mount. The weather was warm and pleasant, 
though cloudy, and the track deep with dust. The race was a 
poor one from the standpoint of time and would seem to indi- 
cate that with the single exception of Manuel there was not a 
horse of Derby class of ordinary years in the field. Some ex- 
cuses could be made for Corsine, as he traveled from the Pacific 
Coast and was giving from five to twelve pounds to his op- 
ponents. But the son of Riley showed no speed at any part of 
the journey, though he seemed to be in fine form, and will have 
to improve remarkably to win rank among the good horses of 
America. There is not much to say about the others, except that 
they finished behind Corsine. Mazo will probably do much better 
at shorter distance, but Fontainbleau and His Lordship seem to 
be counterfeits. The latter was trained to the hour by his trainer 
and part owner, Mr. John Smith, who showed his skill in the de- 
velopment of the crack Mclvor in his first year on the turf, but 
he shut up like a jack knife when collared and dropped out of it. 
But few words are needed in addition to the form-sheet in 
describing the race. His Lordship took the lead before reaching 
the grand stand and going down the back stretch seemed to be 
leading easily with his mouth wide open. Taral had Manuel 
under a wrap close up in second place and approaching the turn 
from the backstretch he nailed the leader. There was a moment's 
struggle and His Lordship fell back sulky and beaten and was 
no longer a contender in the race. Coming into the homestretch 
Corsine made his run and half way home came up under the whip 
and for an instant had his head at Manuel's hips. But Taral 



KENTUCKY DERBY 1T_ 

shook up the son of Bob Miles and the latter springing away, 
came on with Taral looking over his shoulder, and won without 
further urging. 

Although the race was by no means a sensational one, yet it 
was the Kentucky Derby, and an immense crowd, estimated at 
20,000 people, saw the race. Of this number, probably one-third 
were ladies in their spring toilets and presenting a scene of 
beauty which is equalled at no other race in America save the 
great Kentucky classic. 

There were eighteen bookmakers in line. The executive offi- 
cers were as follows : 

Presiding Judge — ^Charles F. Price. 

Associate Judge — Lew Tarlton. 

Timers— lArthur Newsom, Pat Dunne and Charles McMeekin. 

Starter — Morgan Chinn. 

Manuel is a bay colt, sired by Bob Miles, son of Pat Malloy 
and Dolly Morgan, by Revenue ; dam Espanita, daughter of Alarm 
and Outstep, by Blue Eyes. He is owned by Messrs. A. H. and 
D. H. Morris, and trained by Robert Walden, son of Mr. Wynd- 
ham Walden, one of the greatest of American trainers. Manuel 
was bred by George J. Long, Bashford Manor, Louisville, Ky., 
who raced him in his two-year-old form until October, when he 
was bought by his present owners for $15,000. Last year he 
started twent3^-one times, winning three races, second three times, 
and third six times. 

The Kentucky Derby ; for three-year olds ; guaranteed value 
$6,000 1^ miles. Fractional time, 0:25^, 0:50^/^, 1 :17^, 1:45^, 
2:12. 151 nominations. 
Starters Jockeys St. ^ J^ Va M. S. F. Betting 

Manuel, 117 Taral 1 33 32 Ih 12 12 12 11to20 

Corsine, 122..T. Burns 5 5 5 3 h 2 3 2 4 2 5 3to 1 



^ HISTORY OF THE 

Mazo, 117 Conky 4 4 1 4nk 4 1 4 3 3 3 3 6 8to 1 

His Lordship, 110 

Turner 2 U^ 11 2 1 3 h 4yS 4 2 )2to 1 
Fontai'ebleu, 117 

Overton 3 2 1 2^ 5 5 5 5 50 to 1 

Start good. Won easily; place same. Post 3 minutes. Winner, 
b c by Bob Miles — Espanita. Value to winner $4,850. 

TWENTY-SIXTH DERBY 1900 

Louisville, Ky., May 3rd, 1900, weather fine, track fast. One 
mile and a quarter. Time 2:065^. Value $4,850, second $700, 
third $300. 

Lieut. Gibson, 117, D. Boland 1 by 4 lengths 

Florizar, 122, Van Dusen 2 by 2 lengths 

Thrive, 122, Winkfield 3 by 1 length 

Highland Lad, His Excellency, Kentucky Farmer, Hindus 
also ran. Betting 10 to 7 on Gibson. Good start. Won easily, 
place same. Gibson made his field look common. 

Lieut. Gibson, br c, by G. W. Johnson— Sophia Hardy, owned 
by Charles H. Smith, trained by Charles Hughes. 

There was little delay at the post. To a perfect start, His 
Excellency was the first to show, closely followed by Lieut. 
Gibson and Kentucky Farmer, with the field well bunched. When 
all were straightened out and the race had begun Lieut. Gilbson 
took command from the momentary leader and began nodding 
off fast quarters with wonderful regularity. The pace rate of 
speed was terrific the first quarter, being run in :24^, at the 
end of which the gallant pacemaker let out a link and running 
the third eighth in 0:11^^ was at the seven-eighths pole in :3S^. 
Boland now steadied the big colt by letting him rate right along. 
The fourth eighth in :12^ carried him to the three-quarter pole 
in :AS, a heart-breaking clip of the fir«t half-mile qi a mile 
^nd a quarter race. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 79 

Carrying 117 pounds as lightly as a feather, Lieut. Gibson 
still going easy, traversed the first three-quarters in 1 :13^. 
The conservative element among the backers of the favorite 
became uneasy at this stage of the race, fearing the horse would 
be unable to withstand the tremendous strain of the fast pace. 
A second time Boland took hold of the flying leader that with 
measured strides seemed to be annihilating distance and defying 
time. 

A second glance at the field and all cause of doubt as to 
Gibson's ability to live at the flying clip was expelled. He 
was going easy, much easier than any horse behind him, and 
seemed only a horse out for a good stiff breeze. Passed the mile 
ground in 1 :40 2/5, he was only rating along three lengths in 
front of the tired His Excellency, with Scoggan's pair Florizar 
and Highland Lad, going well, but in no danger of overhauling 
the galloping leader. 

Into the stretch, a novice could see that Gibson v/as going- 
easy, and coming on the gallant colt passed first under the. wire 
by four lengths in front of Florizar that Van Duscn had most 
sensibly not driven to his limit when he found it impossible to 
overtake the great son of G. W. Johnson. 

The time was 2:06]4, one and one-half seconds faster than the 
Kentucky Derby had ever been run. 

TWENTY-SEVENTH DERBY 1901 

Louisville, Ky. ; April 29, 1901. Weather fine; track fast. 
One and one-quarter miles. Time 2 :0734, value to winner $4,850, 
second $700, third $300. 134 nominations. 

His Eminence, 117, Winkfield 1 by 2-1 

Sannazarro, 117, O'Connor 2 by 2-1 

Driscoll, 110, Boland 3 by 2-1 



80 HISTORY OF THE 

Amur and Alard Sheck also ran. Betting 10 to 7 Scheck; 
3 His Eminence. Good start. Won easily, place same. 

His Eminence, b c, by Falsetto — Patroness. Owned by F. 
B. Van Meter. 

DESCRIPTION OF RACE 

His Eminence, a beautiful bay colt by Falsetto-Patroness by 
Pat Malloy, foaled in the Blue Grass and trained at Churchill 
Downs, won the twenty-seventh renewal of the Kentucky. Sanna- 
zarro, the brown son of imp. Pirate of Penzance — Roseola by 
Duke of Montrose, was second, while Driscoll, Woodford Clay's 
bay colt by Dixon — ^Merry Maiden by Virgil was third. The 
time was 2:07%. Alard Scheck, the odds-on favorite, the prop- 
erty of John W. Schoor, of Memphis and the pride of all Ten- 
n-essee, finished absolutely last, five lengths behind Amur. It 
was a truly run race and His Eminence outclassed his field. 

Twenty thousand people saw the Derby run. The grand stand 
was a monster hillside of beautiful costumes and shining faces. 

They were at the post only a short time — four minutes. There 
was a little jockeying for positions, one false break; they were 
called back and lined up again. Then there was a flash of 
yellow and red, a long hoarse roar from the thousands packed 
in the stand and here they come, five good colts closely bunched, 
with the black nose of Alard Scheck showing slightly in front. 

Before the colts had gone fifty yards Winkfield had moved his 
charge up to first position and as they passed the stand His 
Eminence was half a length in front of Scheck, while Driscoll 
had also moved up and was only a neck behind, with a length 
between him and Amur, Sannazarro bringing up the rear. They 
ran the first eighth in :13, and passed the quarter in :25y^. 

His Eminence was beautifully rated by Jockey Winkfield, the 
colored boy. He carried his field to the three-eighths in :38 



KENTUCKY DERBY 81 

and passed to the half in :51, consistent pace in a mile and 
one-quarter race. His Eminence, in fact was never headed after 
he passed the stand and was never in trouble. He made his 
own pace and Wdnkfield shook him up above the eighth pole and 
he responded gamely and came on, dashing a couple of lengths 
ahead without effort. At the half, he was a length to the good, 
at the five-eighths he was a length and one-half to the good, at 
the three-quarter pole he was three lengths in front of the 
bunch. This is where Winkfield shook him up, for O'Connor 
on Sannazarro; Boland on Driscoll and Dupee on Amur, were 
whipping and digging the rowels into the satiny sides of their 
mounts. 

And Alard Scheck, the favorite? J. Woods, the crack Schorr 
jockey, had him under restraint, believing the colt would be 
able to win easily when he got good and ready. He was under 
a steady pull for the first three-quarters, and when Woods called 
on him he did the worse thing a horse can do next to quitting — 
he sulked. When Woods attempted to lay him down he posi- 
tively refused to go ahead and finished five lengths behind Amur, 
the next to the last horse. 

His Eminence continued to increase his lead, and as they 
round into the stretch the colored boy looked over his shoulder 
and saw the others hopelessly beaten. He kept His Eminence 
under restraint all the way through the stretch and won easily 
by two lengths in 2:07^. O'Connor gave a fine exhibition of 
riding on Sannazarro and while the Hayes colt was not quite 
up to such a race as the Derby was, he got all out of him that 
was in him and finished second ahead of Driscoll, as easily 
as His Eminence finished ahead of him. 

The fractional time of the race was :13, :25j/<, :3S, :51, 
1:04, 1:16)4, 1:29, 1:43, 1:55)^, 2:07^. 



82 HISTORY OF THE 

TWENTY-EIGHTH DERBY 1902 

Louisville, Ky., May 3, 1902. Weather fine, track 'fast. One 
and one-quarter miles. Time 2:08^. Value to winner $4,850, 
second $700, third $300. 112 nominations. 

Alan-a-Dale, 117, Winkfield 1 by a nose 

Inventor, 117, R. Williams 2 by ^-1 

The Rival, 117, N. Turner 3 by a nose 

Abe Frank, 122, Coburn 4 

Betting 5 to 3 on Frank, 6 to 5 Dale and Rival coupled. 
Good start, won driving, place driving. Alan-a-Da!e outclassed 
his field. 

Alan-a-Dale, ch c, 3, by Halma — Sudie McNairy. Owned 
by Thos. C. McDowell. 

DESCRIPTION OF RACE 

The New Louisville Jockey Club opened their gates on Satur- 
day, May 3, which was Derby Day, and as everybody old and 
young, who can, goes to the races, the crowd was enormous. 
Among the large assemblage were notable people from all over 
the United States, including many high State officials. The vic- 
tory of Alan-a-Dale was the most popular Derby win ever 
run at Churchill Downs. T. C. McDowell the owner of the 
fortunate horse, which carried off the honors in game and gal- 
lant style by winning the Blue Riband, bred this horse himself 
at his Ashland Stud. 

The Derby was a true run race and the best horse won and 
as the English say, that any horse that makes his own pace at a 
mile or over from the drop of the flag to the finish must cer- 
tainly be the best horse. It was Alan-a-Dale all through the 
race. The crowd yelled and cheered itself hoarse even those 
who bet and lost or? other horses in the race, joined in the 
cheering. When it was over it was a sight worth going a 
thousand miles to see. It seemed as though everybody was 



KEX TUCK Y DERBY 83 

looking for the popular owner, T. C. McDowell to shake him 
by the hand and congratulate him. 

The pace was fast for the first mile and then it dropped oft 
badly, but when one really notices how fast Alan-a-Dale went 
the first mil-e in the race, they will not wonder that the las: 
quarter was so slow. A first glance at the time of the race one 
would think from a time standpoint that it was a bad race, but 
when compared with other races of its kind, you will see that 
in all races that are fast run th-e horses who make the fast time 
generally rate along instead of running the first part of it real 
fast. In his race, Alan-a-Dale, according to our timing ran 
as follows: % lUy^, H -25, H '-^JV^ >4 :49^, V% 1:02^, 
Va 1:14M, Vz 1:27J^, 1 mile 1:40^4; Wi miles 1:54^ and IK 
miles in 2:08^. 

Of course, the winner tired greatly after setting the terrific 
pace he did in the early part of the race, but the other horses 
also tired as much by trying to keep within striking distance 
of him. Abe Frank, although conceding the winner. Alan-a- 
Dale, Inventor, the second horse and The Rival, the third horse, 
five pounds each, was only beaten a scant length by Alan-a-Dale 
and a half length and a neck by Inventor and Th-e Rival. It 
was a great race to watch from start to finish. At the finish of 
the race all four jockeys were riding like demons, and the 
favorite, Abe Frank, was beaten because he was not the best 
horse at the weights that day. Inventor and The Rival, second 
and third horses in this race were well ridden and ran gamely, 
but there is no way they could have been closer up at the finish 
no matter in what wa}- they would have changed their running. 
All the glory and honor belongs to Alan-a-Dale and his popular 
owner and trainer, Mr. T. C. McDowell of Lexington, who in 
spite of winning this great event, has also a great misfortune 



84 HISTORY OF THE 

to bear as Alan-a-Dale has broken down and it is doubtful if 
he will ever face the starter again. 

TWENTY-NINTH DERBY 1903 

Louisvilk, Ky., May 2, 1903. Weather fine, track fast. 1% 
miles, time 2 :09. Value to winner $4,850, second $700, third $300. 
Nominations not given. 

Judge Himes, 117, H. Booker 1 by ^-Is 

Early, 117, Winkfield 2 by 4.1s 

Bourbon, 110, Crowhurst 3 by 6-ls 

Bad News, Woodlake, Treacy also ran. Betting 5 to 3 on 
Early, 4 Bourbon and Woodlake coupled, 12 Himes. Poor start. 
Won driving, place easily. Himes ran an excellent race. 

Judge Himes, ch c by Esher — Lullaby. Owned by C. R. 
Ellison, trained by J. P. Mayberry. 

Within the shadow of the wire, Judge Him€s snatched from 
Early the twenty-ninth Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs 
to-day. It may have been the over confidence of Winkfield that 
lost to the favorite the blue ribbon event of the Blue Grass State. 
Bourbon, six lengths off, was third, while Bad News, Woodlake 
and Treacy finished in the order named. It was a Derby 
run and won not by the touted, odds-on favorite, but by the 
much despised outsider, but be it said to the credit of colt and 
jockey, he was well piloted and when Judge Himes passed under 
the wire winner of the classic event, it was to the plaudits of 
all Kentucky. The victory was a surprise even to Mr. Ellison 
who had not thought his colt good enough to win. 

A Kentucky Derby always marks an epoch in Kentucky his- 
tory; time and incidents are reckoned from one Derby to the 
next, and the event of to-day was characteristic, for there was 
the same surging, jostling, mass of humanity, crowding stands 



KENTUCKY DERBY 85 

and paddock and overflowing to the ft'cld. Eighteen thousand 
people were in attendance. 

It was an excifcing finish. Early, with a length and a half 
to the good, was ridden down the stretch as though the race 
had already been won, when within the last sixteenth H. Booker 
brought up Judge Himes and in a merciless finish Early who 
had lost his stride by the overconfident Winkfield, was beaten 
three-quarters of a length by the practically neglected colt. The 
day was perfect. From the South drifted an invigorating breeze, 
bearing the fragrance of sprouting foliage on the nearby hills, 
of which the green slopes of Sugar Loaf and Iroquois afforded 
a delightful rest to the eyes bewildered by a maze of gorgeous 
costumes and myriads of beautiful faces, banked tier upon tier 
in the grand stand and club house terrace and representing the 
fairest of Kentucky's womanhood. 

The track was fast. The six colts were not kept long at the 
post, and after some ten minutes consumed in getting them in 
line, the flag went down and the Derby was on. When Starter 
Holtman gave the word the colts were almost at the fretful line 
and the jockeys found Woodlake of the McDowell entry hug- 
ging the inside rail with the others well bunched and Judge 
Himes a half length away. They raced in this position past 
the stand. Bad News being third. Early fourth and Bourbon fifth, 
while Treacy brought up the rear. When they made the lower 
turn it was evident that Helgesen on Woodlake wanted to make 
a runaway race of it, for he had increased his lead to two 
lengths. Bad News had moved up to second position with 
Judge Himes a neck away, while Early still maintained his 
position of fourth, Bourbon being fifth and Treacy a half dozen 
lengths in the ruck and out of the race. 



86 HISTORYOFTHE 

When the colts had been straightened out on the back stretch 
the canary jacket of Jockey Winkfield emerged from the rear 
and with an unusual burst of speed. 

"Early wins !" was the exultant cry of the vast majority of 
the crowd as the son of Troubadour with even, steady stride, 
moved to the front. When the three-quarters was reached he 
was in easy command with nearly a length to the good and 
this lead he increased as they rounded the last turn for the final 
struggle. Meanwhile Judge Himes and Bad News had been 
having an almost neck and neck race of it for third place, with 
their noses at the flank of Woodlake, which had continued 
to show the way down the backstretch, until he had surrendered 
to Early's burst of speed. As the colts made the swing for the 
turn into the stretch, Booker saw an opening and when they 
had straightened out he had Judge Himes next the rail. There 
was but one horse betv/een him and victory. Maintaining a com- 
fortable position, some two lengths behind the favorite it was 
not until he had passed the eighth pole that he called on him 
for speed. In the interim Winkfield sat quietly on Early, con- 
templating the victory so near at hand, and not until Judge 
Himes thundered down upon him was he apparently conscious 
of the colt's approach. Winkfield half turned, than quickly 
resorted to the whip and spur. But it was too late, 
Judge Himes passing under the wire winner of the 
event, with the question of supremacy still a mooted one. 
The fractional time for the race was :25^, :51, 1 iW/z, 1 :42, 2:09. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 87 

THIRTIETH DERBY 1904 

Louisville, Ky., May 2. Weather fine, track fast. One and 
one-quarter miles. Time 2:0854. Value to winner $4,850, second 
$700, third $300. 140 nominations. 

Elwood, 117 Prior 1 

Ed. Tierney, 117, Dominick 2 

Brancas, 117, Lyne 3 

Prince Silverwings, 117, Austin 4 

Proceeds, 122, Helgeson 5 

Betting evens Proceeds, 2 Brancas, 4 Tierney, 8 Silverwings, 
10 Elwood. Good start, won driving. Silverwings, Proceeds, 
Tierney and Elwood ran 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th for IJ^. Proceeds 
stumbled at start. 

Elwood, b c, 3, by Free Knight — Petticoat. Owned by Mrs. 
C. E. Durnell, trained by C. E. Durnell. 

DESCRIPTION OF RACE 

In the presence of one of the largest crowds ever seen at 
Churchill Downs race track the thirtieth renewal of the Kentucky 
Derby was decided on Monday. The winner turned up in El- 
wood, a son of Free Knight and Petticoat by Alarm, and the 
outsider in the betting. Elwood was bred by Mrs. J. B. 
Prather, Marysville, Mo. Proceeds, the favorite, took com- 
mand just after the start, but began to quit before five fur- 
longs had been negotiated. The Talbot horse, Prince Silver- 
wings, who had been in second place, now took the lead and led 
the way until well in the stretch, where lack of condition told and 
he gave way to Elwood who had trailed the field to this point. 
Ed Tierney joined Elwood at the paddock gate, and from there 
on the race was between the two, Elwood winning by half 
length. Elwood was a seasoned horse and this probably gave 
him the race. According to our way of thinking, Prince Silver- 
wings would have won easily had he been fit. While a small 



88 HISTORY OF THE 



horse he is well made and showed he possessed more speed than 
anything in the race. Take it all in all, one cannot help but 
say that they were a bad lot of Derby horses, and if such a 
horse as Ben Brush, Ornament, Halma or Alan-a-Dale had been 
there they would have looked like $200 selling platers. It was 
a nice race to look at, every horse looked to have a chance the 
entire route, well bunched they struggled hard and did their 
best. The time, 2:08>^, was good when you consider the time 
made in previous Derbies. Judge Himes won the Derby in 2:09, 
Alan-a-Dale in 2:08^, His Eminence in 2:07^, Lieut. Gibson in 
2:0654, Plaudit in 2:09, Typhoon IL, in 2:12i/4 and Ben Brush 
in 2:07^, all carrying the same weight, 117 pounds. 

THIRTY-FIRST DERBY 1905 

Louisville, Ky., May 10, 1905. Weather clear. Track muddy. 
IK miles. Value to winner $4,850, second $700, third $300. 

Time 2:10^. Nominations ( ). 

Agile, 122, J. Martin 1 

Ram's Horn, 117, Lyne 2 

Layson, 1 17, D. Austin 3 

Betting 3 to 1 on Agile, 2 Horn, 15 Layson. Won by three 
lengths, ten lengths between second and third. 

Agile, bay colt, 3, by Sir Dixon — Alpena. Owned by Capt. 
S. S. Brown. 

DESCRIPTION OF RACE. 

Today is Derby Day in Louisville and the thirty-first run- 
ning of the Kentucky Derby was won by Capt. S. S. Brown's 
Agile, with Ram's Horn in second place and Layson third. 
The attendance was the largest in the history of the famous 
track and the twenty thousand people who stood and watched the 
race looked like a solid mass of humanity. At 1 o'clock the 
traclc was a sea of mud, but after an hour's working it had 



KENTUCKY DERBY 



dried out considerably and was in fair condition when the 
bugle called the Derby candidates to the post. 

The crowd waited patiently for the Derby, which was the 
fourth race on the card and at IS minutes past 4 o'clock the 
three colts passed from the paddock out into the broad, heavy 
path. A cheer that is almost a roar goes up from the crowd. 
The parade takes but a few minutes and they passed on up to 
the turn, where Starter Dwyer gives the boys a few words of 
instructions and almost before the crowd has had time to 
realize it, they're off to a beautiful start, and here they come 
on the trip that means so much to the admirers of both star 
performers. 

Jockey Martin has his orders regarding Agile, and obeying 
these instructions to the letter, he starts out to show Ram's 
Horn a merry time, because it is a well-known fact that the 
son of Bute is unable to do himself justice in the mud. They 
pass the stand with Agile a length in front, while Jockey Lyne, 
on Ram's Horn, is trying to rate his colt and keep him within 
striking distance of the leader. Even at this early point in the 
race Layson is hopelessly beaten and even to the most inex- 
perienced, he is merely running for the money that goes to the 
third horse. The cherry jacket and blue cap which is on Agile's 
back bobs up and down like a cork in a choppy sea. The black 
silk on Ram's Horn's back moves through space with verj' 
little motion. A long roar like the snarl of a multitude of bulldogs 
comes from the stand and spreads itself over the crowd in the 
infield and reverberates from the whitewashed barns on the 
other side of the beautiful course. This is the cry of the 
people from the Blue Grass land, friends of Ram's Horn, the 
poor man's horse. The real race has only begun. 

As they round the first turn, Martin lets out a wrap and 
Agile shoots forward like an arrow from a bow. Ram's Horn 



90 HISTORYOFTHE 

is too close for comfort, and the boy has orders to keep the 
lead. Then they turn into the back stretch, and here Ram's 
Horn runs his race. With whip and spur and with his knees 
digging into the satiny sides of Ram's Horn, Jockey Lyne 
asked the question of the son of Bute. Instantly the game 
colt responds, and before the half-mile pole is reached Ram's 
Horn has cut the lead down to one length and his nose is very 
close to Agile's tail. 

The positions do not change for a quarter of a mile. Then 
the favorite gradually begins to move away from Rams Horn 
in spite of the vigorous efforts of Lyne. But its no use — the 
track is muddy and sticky and slippery, and this son of one 
of the best stallions any American ever brought to this country 
from England is unused to the going and does not like it. And 
so they turn into the home stretch, with Agile two lengths in 
front and galloping with his mouth wide open, while Ram's 
Horn is laboring many lengths in front of Layson. 

The shouting and the tumult die and Martin, realizing that 
his victory is now assured, eases his mount to an ordinary 
gallop, while Lyne, on Ram's Horn, also refuses to drive Jim 
Williams' colt, because he knows the case is hopeless. They 
pass under the wire in a straggling procession, with little ex- 
citement Or applause. The time, 2:10j^, shows the condition 
of the track. 

THIRTY-SECOND DERBY 1906 

Louisville, Ky., May 2, 1906. Weather fine, track good. 1% 
miles. Time 2:08 4/5. Value to winner $4,850, second $700, 
third $300. 110 nominations. 

Sir Huon, 117, Troxler 1 

Lady Navarre, 117, Burns 2 

James Reddick. 117, Dominick 3 



KENTUCKY DERBY 91 

Hyperion IL, Debar, Velours also ran. 

Betting 6 to 5 Huon, 9 to 5 Navarre and Reddick coupled 
7 to 2 Debar ; 8 Hyperion, 40 Velours. Good start. Won easilv 
by two lengths, 3 between second and third. 

Sir Huon, b c, 3, by Falsetto-Lignite. Owned by George J. 
Long of Louisville, Ky., trained by Pete Coyne. 

DESCRIPTION OF RACE. 

Sir Huon, carrying the colors of George J. Long, one of the 
most popular breeders of Kentucky, won the thirty-second 
Kentucky Derby, at Churchill Dov/ns on May 2, before one 
of the most representative gatherings that ever witnessed this 
classic event. 

Guided by Roscoe Troxler, he crossed the finishing line two 
lengths in front of the gallant little filly, Lady Navarre, which 
beat her stable companion, James Reddick, by three lengths. 
Five lengths behind came Hyperion H, which had set a heart- 
breaking pace, and a dozen lengths behind the latter was 
Debar, which carried the 'hopes and money of the Lexington 
contingent, and last of lall, practically beaten off, came Velours, 
from Sunny Tennessee. 

Sir Huon did not win easily, for he was a very tired horse 
at the finish, and it required great skill on the part of his 
jockey to nurse him through the final furlong; at the same 
time, it might be said that those behind him were more tired. 
Sir Huon was by long odds the best looking horse in the race; 
in fact, he looked the Derby horse all over, and he is the first real 
Derby horse that has crossed the wire in front since Alan-a- 
Dale struggled home on three legs. 

Considering that Lady Navarre was conceding five pounds to 
the winner, a good deal of credit must be given to her. She 
ran a great race, but that was today, and in the opinion of 
many, she will never be able to get that close to Sir Huon again. 



92 HISTORY OF THE 

It was a great day for Louisville, and everyone with a trace 
of sporting blood in his veins was out to see the Derby, and 
when a home-bred horse won, the crowd demonstrated that the 
victory of Mr. Long was a most popular one. They cheered 
him from the time he left the paddock until he crossed the 
wire, only to renew it when the usual formalities were gone 
through with at the judges' stand. 

There was no delay at the post, and as the barrier was 
lowered, the horses came walking up and Sta-rter Dwyer gave 
the word. "They're off!" yelled the crowd with one accord, 
and down the stretch came the sextette in pretty close order. 
Nearing the eighth pole, Hyperion II drew clear and by the 
time the judges' stand was reached he was three lengths in 
front, with Velours and Sir Huon next in order. Then came 
Lady Navarre and James Reddick, and Debar brought up the 
rear. As the club-house turn was rounded, Sir Huon dropped 
in behind Hyperion II, and there he laid all the way up the 
back stretch. Velours was done when the field straightened 
out in the backstretch, and James Reddick, which showed 
unexpected speed, moved up behind Sir Huon. Out in 
front Hyperion II was still sifting sand, Troxler sitting still 
and holding Sir Huon well in hand. Lady Navarre, who had 
suffered a little interference on the lower turn, was being 
whipped to keep up and Velours was now the trailer. 

As they approached the far turn, Hyperion still had a clear 
lead, but now Troxler had gone to work on the son of Falsetto 
and it took considerable of an effort on his part to run the 
flying Hyperion down. He caught him and passed him on the 
stretch turn and then the Ellison pair closed, as the Test were 
beaten. Straightened for home, Troxler plied his whip and 
then sat down to ride. Dominick was busy on James Reddick 
and Burns was putting forth his best efforts on Lady Navarre, 



KENTUCKY DERBY 93 

but it was to no avail, for the big colt had enough left to 
stall off the efforts of the tired pair behind him. 

Sir Huon broke a tradition in the race, and that was that 
a colt which had not previously started the same year that 
the Derby was run always got beat, no matter how good his 
work might have been. 

THIRTY-THIRD DERBY 1907 

Louisville, Ky., May 6, 1907.~Weather bad. Track heavv. 
IJA miles. Time 2:12 3/5. Value to winner $4,850, second 
$700, third $300. 128 nominations. 

Pink Star, 117, Minder 1 

Zal, 117, Boland !.'.*.".*.'.'.*.'.*!."? 

Ovelando, 117, Nicol '..'...!. .3 

Redgauntlet, Austin; Wool iSandals; Koerner; and Orland- 
wick, J. Lee also ran. 

B-etting 6 to 5 Redgauntlet ; 3 each Ovelando and Sandals : 8 
Zal, 10 Orlandwick. Good start. Won easily by 2 lengths; 1 
between 2nd and 3rd. 

Pink Star, b c, 3, by Pink Coat— Mary Malloy. Owned by 
J. Hal Woodford, trained by W. H. Fizer. 

In the presence of an enormous crowd, J. Hal Woodford's 
Pink Star won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on 
Monday, the opening day of the New Louisville Jockey Club's 
spring meeting. Behind Pink Star were Zal, Ovelando, Red- 
gauntlet, Wool Sandals and Orlandwick. 

Redgauntlet was made favorite. Pink -Star's victory was not 
a popular one. The public had no confidence in the flashy 
grandson of the great Leonatus, which won the same event in 
1883, and neither did his owner Hal Woodford of Paris, Ky. 
But his trainer, W. H. Fizer, fairly bubbled with enthusiasm 
over the chances of his colt. "So these are the Derby horses?" 



94 HISTORY OF THE 

said he. "Well, if they are Derby colts, Pink Star will walk 
in." So he did. 

The race itself was robbed of a great deal of interest by the 
withdrawal of Arcite, which did not start on account of the 
going. His owner, George J. Long, waited until the last moment 
before scratching him, chiefly on account of the sentiment that 
has marked his career on the turf. Mr. Long is a Louisville 
man, he takes great pride in her institutions, one of which is 
the "Darby", and he felt as if he were duty bound to run the 
colt, but after consulting with his trainer, decided that the going 
was impossible. 

After the parade passed the grandstand and clubhouse, the 
horses cantered to the post, and it was but a moment before 
Starter Holtman sprung the barrier and the thirty-third Derby 
was on. As they swept pass the stand the first time, Zal was 
leading, with Ovelando second and Wool Sandals third. Around 
the clubhouse turn, it was quite noticeable that Pink Star, with 
his pink-coated jockey was bringing up the rear. Round the 
lower turn they went and now Zal had a clear lead and was 
running freely. Ovelando was under restraint and was a good 
second, next to the rail. Redgauntlet had dropped to the rear 
and Austin was busy with the whip but there was no response. 
Up the back stretch they went, Zal with gigantic strides, still in 
front and Ovelando was going easily close up. Redgauntlet 
moved up a bit and Pink Star was last. As the three-eighths 
pole was reached, Nicol went up to Zal, and it looked as if he 
could pass the Gerst colt any time he wanted to. Pink Star was 
moving up on the extreme outside. Nicol rounded the stretch 
turn on even terms with Zal and the cry went up, "Ovelando 
walks in." But the jubilation was too earh^, for Zal drew away 
a bit as the field straightened for home and Nicol drew his 
whip. Pink Star was still coming. At the eighth pole the 



KENTUCKY DERBY 95 

positions were still the same, but here Ovelando began to hang 
out signals of distress and he was done. Pink Star by this time 
had gotton on almost even terms with Zal and, as the sixteenth 
pole was passed, he was slowly drawing away from the fleet- 
footed chestnut. A few strides and it was all over, for Boland 
began to ride Zal, but he was done to a turn and at the end 
Pink Star was under wraps. Ridden out, Zal finished a little 
over a length in front of Ovelando, and quite a piece back 
came the favorite. 

THIRTY-FOURTH DERBY 1908 

Louisville, Ky., May 5, 1908. — Weather cloudy, track heavy. 
V4 miles. Time 2:151/5. Value to winner $4,850, second 
$700, third $300. 

Stone Street, 1 17, Pickens 1 

Sir 'Cleg€s, 1 17, Koerner 2 

Dunvegan, 1 14, Warren 3 

Synchronized, F. Burton ; Banridge, V. Powers ; Mil ford, 
Minder; Bill Herron, J. Lee, and Frank Bird, J. Williams 
also ran. 

Good start. Won easily by three lengths, heads each next 
four. Mutuels $123.60 for $5. 

Owned by C E. Hamilton, trained by J. Hall. 

Stone Street, b c, 3, by Longstreet— -Stone Nellie. 

DESCRIPTION OF RACE 

Stone Street, a despised outsider, carrying the blue jacket and 
white sash of C. E. Hamilton, the popular Latonia turfman, and 
ridden by Jockey Pickens, walked away with the thirty-fourth 
Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, with the pride 
of Louisville, iSir Cleges, the public's choice, in the place. The 
$5 mutuels paid $123.60. Three lengths in front of the favorite, 



96 HISTORY OF THE 

Stone Street crossed the wire a pretty tired horse, but the others 
were more so. Sir Cleges got the place by a neck and Dunvegan 
got third place by an eyelash from Synchronized, which was 
added at the last moment. It was a clear-cut victory and an in- 
stance where condition won over class. It was also an instance 
where a colt that was at home in the going beat a better horse, 
which besides being a bit short, the condition of the track pre- 
cluding the chance to give him a final good v;ork, did not 
fancy the stick track, and labored all the way. Stone Street 
by heritage comes of stout stock, his sire being Longstreet, son 
of Longfellow, a family noted for endurance rather than speed. 

After the bugle called the horses to the post there was not 
much time wasted on instructing jockeys. Paddock Judge John 
Walsh called out: "Lead out. Powers," and the eight Derby 
horses were on their way to parade past the judges' stand and 
clubhouse and then to the post. There was no time lost at the 
barrier, where Judge Will Shelley presided in the absence of 
Jake Holtman. 

The crowd rose as the horses swept past the stand, and when 
the field reached the line the first time Banridge forged to the 
front, after crowding Sir Cleges out. Stone Street was second. 
Dunvegan ithird and the favorite fourth, with Frank Bird last 
of all. Around the lower turn they went in the same order. 
When straightened out on the back stretch, Banridge opened a 
streak of daylight on Stone Street, while Sir Qeges passed Dun- 
vegan. The rest of the field was not out of the running and it 
was also noticeable that while Sir Cleges gained ground that it 
was with an effort, as the colt was laboring and climbing. At 
the far turn, Banbridge's lead was cut down and Stone Street 
and Sir Cleges, the latter under urging moved up on the leader. 
Found the stretch turn came Banridge and at his heels were his 



KENTUCKY DERBY 



97 



•relentless pursuers. Stone Street nailed him when straight for 
the wire and the shout went up, "Sir Cleges is beaten." 

Koerner was hard at work on him and he held his place with 
bulldog courage, but the lack of condition was telling on him 
and Stone Street which raced at New Orleans and was fit, drew 
away with ease and came und^r the wire with his jockey sitting 
still. There was a bitter struggle for the place and Sir Cleges 
secured this through the powerful finish of Koerner, who never 
let up until the last two strides, when he had second position 
safe. Synchronized and Dunvegan finished almost on a line a 
neck behind the favorite and the latter got third place. Ban- 
ridge was fifth many lengths in front of Milford, which beat 
Bill Herron home for the distinction of having finished sixth 
by a head and away back came Frank Bird. 

THIRTY-FIFTH DERBY 1909 

Louisville, Ky., May 3, 1909.-Weather clear, track slow 

$7lo."?hi"d $30a ' '^'' '^^' '''^"' '' """^^ ^'''^'' ^^^^"^ 

Wintergreen, 117, V. Powers i 

Miami, 117, C. Shilling 4 

Dr. Barkley, 117, '•'-'''.'.'•'.'.'.'.'/.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.[['.'' '3 

f. ,^^^_C^tesby, Friend Harry, Direct, Michael Angelo VVar- 

Da d' ^U^r^ ^f. ^cf '^ ^-^^"^^^ ^^"- ^^"^"^ ^5 mutuels 
dHvin ^^^^^8^ht. Start good, won easily, second and third 

Wintergreen, b c, 3, by Dick Welles-Winter. Owned by 
J. B. Respess, tramed by C. Alack. ^ 

DESCRIPTION OF THE RACE 

Wintergreen, an Ohio-bred colt, carrying the colors of Rome 
Respess, ridden by V. Powers, galloped awav from his oppon- 
ents to-day in the race for the thirty-fifth Kentucky Derby. 



HISTORY OF THE 



Four lengths behind him came Miami, which carried all the 
hopes and money of Central Kentucky, and he was three lengths 
in front of Dr. Barkley, a despised outsider, which beat Sir 
Catesby a head and gave the latter the place of honorable men- 
tion. Wintergreen hardly left the outcome of the race in doubt 
after the barrier rose. His backers had a moment of anxiety 
when he was bumped by Miami right after the start and once 
in the final furlong, when Powers laid the lash on the big bay 
colt. The rest of the race was play for the son of Dick Welles 
and Winter. Miami ran a good game race, Direct and Warfield 
failed to show anything much and Campeon and Match Me were 
outclassed. Sir Catesby ran the best race behind the winner 
and would have been second but for bad racing luck. The going 
made Friend Harry stop. 

For a horse that was born and bred in the Buckeye State to 
win the Kentucky Derby is a new feature in the history of this 
classic event. California, Eastern horses, and in the majority 
of cases, Kentucky and Tennessee have furnished all the Derby 
winners. 

Slowly and with Wintergreen in the lead, they filed past the 
stand and clubhouse and, turning, galloped to the starting point, 
where Jake Holtman was ready to send them away. The field 
got away quickly to a good start. Wintergreen and Miami came 
together as the barrier went up, but the son of Dick Welles was 
not to be denied and he at once went to the front and there he 
stayed. Coming past the stand, he had a clear lead, with Miami 
next and Dr. Barkley and Friend Harry close up. Sir Catesby 
was on the inside and was apparently trying to run over horses. 
Going up the back stretch Powers took a nice hold on Winter- 
green and the great colt just skimmed along pricking his ears. 
Friend Harry made a determined effort passing the half-mile 
post, but it was just a flash in the pan, for scarcely had the 



K E N T U C K Y DERBY _99 

cry "Friend Harry is catching him" rung out before the crowd 
was yelling Friend Harry is beaten, as the Alvey colt's stride 
shortened. Miami, which had clung tenaciously to second 
place, also under restraint, was now sent after th-e flying pace- 
maker with a will. But Shilling could not rally his mount and 
the farther the field went the easier was Wintergreen's task. 
Nearing the eighth pole Powers got a little uneasy and gave 
Wintergreen one good crack with the whip and he bounded away 
like the others were standing still. Miami was just as easily second 
and Dr. Barkley just managed to beat out Sir Catesby, the 
latter coming through the worst going. The rest were pretty 
well scattered. 

THIRTY-SIXTH DERBY 1910 

Louisville, Ky., May 10, 1910.— Weather clear. Track fast. 
1% miles. Time 2:062/5. Value to winner $4,850, second $700, 
third $300. 

Donau, 117, Herbert 1-H length 

Joe Morris, 117, 2-h 

Fighting Bob, 117, ....3-n 

Boola Boola, 117, 4 

Topland, 114, 5 

John Furlong, 107, 6 

Gallant Pirate, 117, 7 

$5 mutuels paid $13.25. At post one minute. Start good, 
won driving second and third same. 

Donau, b c, 3, by Woolsthorpe — Al Lone. Owned by Wm. 
Gerst, Nashville, Tenn., trained by G. Ham. 

DESCRIPTION OF RACE 

An enormous crowd gathered from all points of the compass 
saw and cheered the victory of the bay colt Donau in the thirty- 
sixth running of the Kentucy Derby, now truly the "Blue Riband" 



100 HISTORYOFTHE 



of the American turf, at Churchill Downs this afternoon. It 
was the largest crowd that ever graced this historic battle 
ground of the thoroughbreds and that crowd saw the keenest 
contest and the most thrilling finish that ever attended the win- 
ning of the prize, which has been annually coveted by owners of 
three-year olds in all the land since Price McGrath first took it 
with game Aristides in 1875. 

The winner is owned in Tennessee, but he was bred in the 
Blue Grass of old Kentucky, as were also each of the half dozen 
that went to the post with the son of Woolsthorpe and Al Lone 
and came back behind him. 

Derby Day dawned clear and warm. There was not a fleck 
ill the sky when the sun peeped over the Eastern horizon. The 
track hac dried out rapidly after the ;evere rain of Satuiday 
and was fast. 

When the bugle called the horses to the post, Donau, ac- 
companied to the paddock gate by his piebald pony companion 
was the first to step on the track. He was No. 1 on the program. 
After the post parade, the horses cantered to the starting point 
one quarter of a mile up the stretch. Starter Milton was ready 
for them, and after they had lined up about twenty yards 
behind the barrier, gave orders to walk up. They came in 
good alignment and sprung the barrier at the first attempt. 
They were off to -i good start four minutes after they 'eft 
the paddock. 

Joe Morris was first to show and Donau next, then Boola 
Boola and Gallant Pirate, Fighting Bob fifth, John Furlong 
sixth and Topland last. 

Herbert had Donau well in his stride and he lost no time 
sending him to the front and when they passed the stand at the 
end of the first quarter of a mile in :24, he was leading Joe 



KEN TUCKY DERBY 101 

Morris by half a length and was at the rail with Topland third 
a head back and the others close up. Around the clubhouse 
turn, Joe Morris swerved outward and carried the others with 
him, giving Donau a lead of about three lengths as they straight- 
ened out for the run down the backstretch, having passed the 
half in :484/5. Joe Morris was here two lengths in front of 
John Furlong and Topland, they on nearly even terms, with 
Fighting Bob two lengths back of them, a length in front of 
Boola Boola and Gallant Pirate a neck apart. 

Herbert took a restraining hold on Donau, passing the three- 
quarter ground in 1 :14 and steadied him around the turn out of 
the backstretch still three lengths in front of Joe Morris. Here 
Stanley Page made his move on Fighting Bob. The son of 
Knight of Ellerslie was in third position in a jiffy and less 
than two lengths back of Joe Morris. Coming around the turn 
into the homestretch, Boola Boola made up ground rapidly and 
the pace seemed to quicken. At the end of the mile in 1 :394/5, 
and heading for home, Donau led by half a length, with Joe 
Morris a head in front of Fighting Bob, and he four lengths 
better than Boola Boola, the others clearly out of contention. 
There it looked as any one of the first four might win, for 
Boola Boola was carrying the Camden colors with the speed 
of the wind and loomed up big and strong. Down the stretch 
they came, whips whirling and resounding even above the roar 
from the stand and the field, and those jockeys rode desperately 
for the prize that hung at the end of the tiring, heartbreaking 
journey now less than a sixteenth of a mile away. On and on 
they came near to the black mark of the white board that should 
proclaim the finish; flying, yet struggling gamely and deter- 
minedly under the punishment of the bending striving riders to 
be first to that goal where hung fame, glory and gold. 



102 HISTORY OF THE 

Donau though tiring fast, was still able to hold the kad. 
Unshaken, his nose shot first past the finishing mark, with Joe 
Morris at his withers. Fighting Bob at Joe Morris' throat-latch, 
and Boola Boola beaten only a nose for third money. Topland 
was fifth five lengths back, and two lengths in front of John 
Furlong, eight lengths better than Gallant Pirate a trailing last. 

It was a great finish and any human being with a drop of 
sporting blood in his viens was to be excused for giving over 
for the moment to the feelings of ecstasy that well up from the 
soul of man at such a contest. It was beyond question the most 
thrilling finish ever seen in a race for the Kentucky Derby. 

THIRTY-SEVENTH DERBY 1911 

Louisville, Ky., May 13, 1911. — Weather clear, track fast. 
1% miles. Time 2:05 (equals track record). Value to winner 
$4,850, second $700, third $300. 

Meridian, 1 17, G. Archibald l-3^ length 

Governor Gray, 119, Troxler 2-15 

Colston, 1 10, Conley 3-2 

Jack Denman, 1 17, Wilson 4 

Mud Sill, 107, Koerner 5 

Round the World, 117 McGee 6 

Col. Hogan, 110, Mclntyre 7 

$2 mutuels paid $7.80 straight. At post 2 minutes. Start 
good, won driving, second and third same. 

Meridian, b c, 3, by Broomstick — Sue Smith. O'wned by R. 
F. Carman, trained by A. Ewing. 

DESCRIPTION OF RACE 

Meridian, Kentucky -bred, but Eastern-owned, triumphantly 
carried the colors of R. F. Carman to the front in the thirty- 
seventh Kentucky Derby in record time and before a record 
crowd at Churchill Downs to-day. The Derby was run from 



KENTUCKY DERBY 103 

"eend to eend" as Frank Harper of Ten Broeck and Longfellow 
fame, used to say, for the winner set a heart-breaking pace 
and had the stamina to last the route and get home a scant 
length in front of Governor Gray. The latter was about 15 
lengths in front of Colston, the dark horse for the Derby. The 
time 2:05, a new mark for the Derby. The best time ever re- 
corded for the sixteen blue ribbon events which have been run 
at this distance was made by Lieut. Gibson in 1900, when 2 -.06% 
was made. It also equaled the track record made last year by 
Royal Report. The race was not a gallop for Meridian for he 
was a tired horse at the finish and was exceedingly well handled 
at the end by Jockey G. Archibald. Governor Gray had some 
bad luck. ,He was next to the fence going round the first turn, 
and Troxler was forced to take him back, and he was lengths 
behind the pacemaker going into the back stretch. The others 
were not in the same class with the two placed horses and only 
figured in the race for the first mile. Probably Colston will do 
better in the next effort and the same could be said of Mud 
Sill and Jack Denman. 

It was 4:55 when the first of the Derby contingent filed 
through the gate to lead the parade of the field past the sands. 
The huge crowd applauded vigorously as the horses filed past 
the clubhouse, where they turned and slowly came back again on 
the outside. It was easy to tell which was the favorite as Gov- 
ernor Gray got a great reception. After passing the betting shed 
the field cantered to the post with Mars Cassidy galloping up to 
the same point on a fiery steed and on the steeplechase track, 
while the crowd in the field kidded him a bit. There was but 
a moment's delay at the barrier. The field would have gotten 
away at the first line-up, but for Round the World which acted 
sour and Jack Denman. They were quickly lined up again and 



104 HISTORY OF THE 

in a jiffy Cassidy yelled "Come on!" and the horses were on 
their way. The start was a good one for all but Col. Hogan, 
which was last to break, and when he did go went very wide and 
that settled his chances once for all. 

Meridian went to the front at once and ere the field had 
reached the judges' stand he was three lengths in front and set- 
ting a pace that had the others on their toes. Round the World 
was second a couple of lengths in front of Colston, which was 
some lengths in front of Mud Sill, with Jack Denman and 
Governor Gray close up. Col. Hogan trailed the field. 

At the first turn, Governor Gray, which was next to the 
rail was shut off and Troxler was forced to take him back, and 
for a few moments it looked as if he were going to be displaced 
by Col. Hogan. The field went up the back stretch in Indian 
file, Meridian under gentle restraint but still burning up the 
track. Round the World hanging on gamely and Colston still hold- 
ing third position. As the field swept up the backstretch and 
neared the half mile pole, Governor Gray which was eating up 
ground, loomed up and was soon in a position to overhaul the 
leaders. Troxler had him full on his stride and rounding the 
turn, passed Colston and soon passed Round the World, and 
there was but one horse to catch and victory was his. But 
that was a hard task as Meridian was still moving along in great 
style turning the mile in phenomenal time for a race of that 
distance. The whole field was under whip and spur when 
straightened for home, except the Carman colt. As the eighth 
pole was neared he began to shorten his stride and the cry went 
up "Governor Gray's got him." But this was premature and 
wrong, for Archibald holding the colt together, urged him on, 
handriding and he maintained his advantage of over a length 
until the sixteeth pole, where he swerved over in front of Gov- 
ernor Gray, on which Troxler was making a final effort, but 



KENTUCKY DERBY 105 

it was not for the Governor. The ground he lost on the first 
turn and the •effort to make it up told on him and right at the 
finish his nose was opposite Meridian's tail. Many lengths back 
came Colston, which was a couple of lengths in front of Mud 
Sill and Jack Denman, which finished close together in the order 
named, then Round the World pulled to a walk and Col. Hogan, 
which had been eased up some time. 

THIRTY-EIGHTH DERBY 1912 

Worth, the favorite, won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill 
Downs this afternoon, just beating a heavy rainstorm, and by so 
doing saving the day for the moving-picture operators. The Ken- 
tucky Derby of 1912, the thirty-eighth renewal of the classic 
stake event, went to the horse which nine out of every ten horse- 
men and turf patrons conceded to have the race at his mercy. He 
did not win as easily as many expected, but he won, just lasting 
long -enough to get the money and the honor from a dark horse. 
Duval, which would have paid 20 to 1 had he popped in front, 
was second, and Flamma, the only filly in the contest, was third. 
The time, 2:092/5, is about four seconds slower than that made 
by Meridian, the winner last year. Worth won by a neck, while 
Duval was five lengths in front of the filly, Flamma. 

Worth established his claim to the three-year old champion- 
ship for the 1912 season, although he will have to win many 
more races this year to hold that title. At the present time he 
is the best of all three-year olds. To-day, just as last season, 
there were many doubting Thomases regarding his ability and 
class. It took the celebrated match race at Latonia last fall 
to convince these persons that he was the best two-year old out 



106 HISTORY OF THE 

in 1911, and this spring the K-entucky Derby race is the one 
which sweeps aside all chances for an argument. 

The colt was dead tired when the race was finished, and had 
to be urged hard in the last furlong. He was "prepped" for 
this race, and lasted long enough to win it, which ends all 
arguments what might have happened had the race been 20 or 
30 yards more. Shilling, who rode him, announced before the 
race that he did not intend to have mud slung in his eyes, and 
he kept his word. The beaten ones in the contest had no 
excuse; they were beaten fairly and squarely, luck never enter- 
ing into the result in the least. 

There were no unusual incidents connected with the pre- 
liminaries to the big race. The crowd during the interval 
between the ending of the third and the time to go to the post 
in the big event, wended its way to the paddock and stood several 
deep around the railing, each and every one anxious to get a 
good look at the contenders. Promptly at 4:30 they left the 
paddock and paraded down past the judges' stand. Flamma, 
the only filly in the race, leading the procession, but she was a 
little shy and on several occasions refused to come down in 
front. Wheelwright, with Byrne up, followed with free Lance, 
sporting the colors of George J. Long, the Louisville turfman, 
leading Guaranola, which was directly in front of the favorite, 
Worth. Sonada and Duval brought up in the rear in the order 
named. The clouds were hanging quite low and it was doubtful 
if the race would be finished before the rain fell. 

Th-e horses pranced down the stretch to the quarter pole, 
where Starter Cassidy told riders just what was expected of 
them. Several times they could have been let go, but Flamma 
was still in an ugly mood and she broke up many perfect 
starts. After about two minutes of work at the post the simul- 



KENTUCKY DERBY 107 



taneous cry from 18,000 throats proclaimed the fact that the 
big race was on. 

Shilling pushed Worth into the lead, and the big brown son 
of Knight of the Thistle went about his work in a determined 
manner. He needed no urging to keep him in front and ran 
straight and true under the clever guidance of his rider. Free 
Lance cut across at the start and took the second position, laying 
back of Worth about a length, although Wheelwright breaking 
first, did not get to going right away. Sonada broke well, wiih Duval 
only a short distance back. Guaranola was a couple of lengths behind 
soon after they got to going, with Flamma bringing up in the rear, 
the filly having been caught unawares. Shilling took no chances 
with the Hallenbeck colt, but held him right to his knitting, 
coming down the stretch for the first time. 

Passing the wire. Worth was easily a length and a half to 
the good of Free Lance, which was laying back in a contending 
position at all times. A length back of Free Lance, hugging the 
rail, came Sonada, which was only a head in front of Duval. 
Wheelwright followed Duval, being three lengths back of him. 
Guaranola was two lengths in front of Flamma, which gives an 
idea of the poor start gotten by the filly. Around the turn going 
into the backstretch. Worth was still leading by his length and 
a half advantage. Free Lance was still holding on, although 
half a length separated the Alvescot colt from Guaranola, which 
had slipped up on the rail. Duval was laying back in fourth 
place on the outside, being half a length in front of Flamma, 
which had passed Sonada and Wheelwright. Sonada had drop- 
ped into last place and Wheelwright was not much better, both 
of them running neck and neck for the booby prize. It was 
plain to all that they were outclassed and the crowd passed them 
up and centered all their attention on the leaders, Away over 



108 HISTORY OF THE 

on the far turn, those without glasses could still distinguish that 
Worth was in the lead, although it was growing dark fast. 
They also noticed that Duval had slipped upon the inside and 
was now only a length behind the Hallenbeck champion. Flam- 
ma, on the outside, had also passed Free Lance, and it was 
quite patent here that the Long colt could not go the route, for 
Guaranola had also passed him. Sonada and Wheelwright were 
trailing nearly ten lengths back. Worth still held his advantage 
turning into the stretch, but Shilling was becoming nervous, for 
he felt the colt was tiring. 

It was now a question with him as to whether he could 
stick out the last furlong. Drawing his whip he gave him a 
couple of blows and the big fellow hung on. Duval was only 
a length back and in this way they raced to the sixteenth pole, 
with Flamma in third place. Duval was gradually gaining on 
Worth and Fain started to ride hard. Shilling again pulled his 
whip at the sixteenth pole and applied it vigorously. It was 
well he did, for the colt was dead tired, but still game. Fain 
had no whip, but proceeded to give Duval a hand ride. Shilling 
held Worth's head straight during the last gruelling sixteenth 
and the colt dashed before the grand stand a nack ahead of 
Duval. Fain rode his mount out, but he could not get up in 
time. Five lengths back of Duval came Flamma, after running 
a good, game race. Four lengths behind Flamma was the dead 
tired Free Lance, a length ahead of Guaranola. Sonada finished 
away back and Wheelwright was pulled up. 

Worth had won and the crowd was satisfied that the best 
horse was the victor. As was said before, there is no use con- 
sidering "if the race had been a few yards longer" the result 
might have been different. 

The jockeys hurried back to the grand stand, the usual wreath 



KENTUCKY DERBY 109 

was placed about the neck of Worth, Shilling was given a 
bouquet of roses and then came the deluge. 

SUMMARY 

May 11, 1912. Track muddy. Purse $6,000. Net value to 
the winner $4,850. 1% miles. Time, :243/5, :492/5, 1:161/5, 
1:423/5, 2:092/5. 

Worth, br c, fcy Knight of the Thistle— Miss Hanover, 117 
lbs., ridden by C. H. Shilling. Won by a neck; 4 to 5. Duval, 
2nd, Fain. Flamma, 112 lbs. Loftus, Third. Also ran Free 
Lance, Peak; Guaranola, Molesworth; Sonada, Koerner; Wheel- 
wright, Byrne. Owner H. C. Hallenbeck. Trainer F. M. Taylor. 

THIRTY-NINTH DERBY 1913 

Seldom in the history of Qiurchill Downs has there been a 
prettier start in the Derby than that of to-day. At the post 
less than a minute, the horses wheeled in perfect alignment and 
were away like a shot. Jimmie Gill had a momentary advantage, 
but was headed by Ten Point in a flash and the big Easterner 
passed the stand for the first time two lengths to the good. 
Foundation was in second place, with Yankee Notions third, 
and Leochares the Gowell close up, and Jimmie Gill by this 
time a trailer. 

Ten Point was rank and Buxton had difficulty restraining 
him in the next quarter, causing him to go the first half in 
0:47 4/5 and adding another length's advantage over the others. 
Foundation was still in second place, and Yankee Notions, run- 
ning well within himself, half a length away, with Gowell fourth 
next the inner rail. Donerail, on which Goose was riding a 
perfect race, was beginning to steel up in steady fashion. 
Gowell was given bungling handling by the diminutive McCabe 
gnd was also suffering from bumping. Leocha.re.s was thoroughly 



110 HISTORY OF THE 

done for after the first half, and Lord Marshall and Jimmie 
Gill were also out of it to all intents and dropped rearward 
steadily. There was a general closing up by the first five in the 
next quarter, but Ten Point still held to a slight lead until the 
stretch turn was reached, where Buxon found his mount waver- 
ing and he began using his whip. At this time Yankee Notions 
was passing Foundation, and the supporters of the Knapp repre- 
sentative gave a shout of joy, for it was expected by them if 
Yankee Notions got to Ten Point before the stretch turn he 
would make short shift of the favorite in the battle to the finish. 

Unexpectedly, Yankee Notions weakened just when his 
chances appeared best and the Ten Point supporters again took 
heart, but their hopes went glimmering shortly after when 
Donerail shot out of the bunch and headed the others in the last 
furlong. In the final drive Donerail easily held his own. Ten 
Point and Foundation were struggling gamely for the place at 
the last furlong post when the colt seemed to bore over a trifle. 
In the last sixteenth Foundation began weakening and Ten Point 
managed to get clear of ihim, but another menace loomed un 
for place honors in the shape of Gowell, though he succeeded 
in passing the finishing line in advance of her. Foundation was 
fourth and Yankee Notions fifth, the rest were distant trailers, 
with Leochares the whipper in. 

A warm reception awaited the winner when the boy returned 
to the judges' stand to weigh in. Jockey R. Goose was probably 
happier than Owner T. P. Hayes. 

It devolved on Governor James B. McCreary to present 
Jockey Goose with the bouquet of flowers given by the New 
Louisville Jockey Club to the winning jockey of the day. 
He said : 

"Young man, I congratulate you. The highest compliment 
that any person can receive in life is that of success. You have 



KENTUCKY DERBY 111 

met with great success to-day and are deserving of the honor 
now bestowed upon you. You were on a gallant horse and you 
rode a brilliant race." 

Jockey Goose, in reply, bashfully said : 

"Governor, I more than appreciate your compliment. I re- 
gard it as the greatest afternoon in my whole life for the reason 
that I was born and reared in Louisville and I have won Louis- 
vill-e's greatest race. I will never forget this day as long as I 
live. I will say for my mount that he did all I asked of him 
throughout the race. He held his position well in the early part 
and finished staunch and game when I called on him in the 
stretch. While I rode him to the best of my ability, I was 
on a good horse to-day." 

FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE RACE 

Kentucky Derby ; one mile and a quarter ; for three-year olds ; 
$5,000 added; net value to winner $5,475. Fractional Time — 
0:23 4/5, 0:47 4/5, 1:123/5, 1:393/5, 2:044/5, new record. 

P.P.St. ^ y^ y^ s. F. 

T. P. Hayes' Donerail, 117. Goose 5361611^51 52 1^ 
A. L. Aste's Ten Point, 117 

Buxton 4 4 12 13 12 1^2 1^ 
J. T. Weaver's Gowell, 112.... 

McCabe 32524h 4 1^413h 
C. W. McKenna's Foundation, 

117..Loftus 8 5 2 1 21/4 2 h 3^ 4nk 
H. K. Knapp's Yankee Notions, 

117.. Glass 6 7 31^ 3 h 3 Ij^ 2^ 5 5 
J. O. & G. H. Keene's Lord Mar- 
shall, 117.. Steele 187171 62 6168 
Doerhoefer & West's Jimmie 

Gill, 110..Borel 2 18 8 8 7 10 7 15 
J. W. Schorr's Leochares, 114 

Peak 764h5^ 7h 8 8 



112 HISTORYOFTHE 

Donerail, the winner of the thirty-ninth Kentucky Derby, 
was raised on John S. Barbee's Glen-Helen Farm, near Lexing- 
ton. Mr. Barbee keeps all of Mr. Hayes' mares. Ten Point, the 
second horse, was also raised on Mr. Barbee's farm. Donerail 
gets his name from Donerail, a flag station near Lexington on 
the Q. & C. Railway. 

Donerail was sired by imp. McGee, a stallion owned by 
Charles W. Moore, Mere Hill Stud, near Lexington. McGee 
was imported from England by E. Corrigan and raced in this 
country by that turfman with much success. 

Algie M., the dam of Donerail, is by Hanover out of John- 
etta, by Bramble. Her sire lines are those of Kentucky Derby 
winners, Hanover, her sire, having gotten Halma, winner of the 
event in 1895, which in turn, sired Alan-a-Dale the victor in 
the race in 1902, whereas Bramble, sire of her grandam, got 
Ben Brush, the Kentucky Derby winner of 1896. 

Donerail is a nicely made colt of more than average height, 
"being close to 16 hands high. He has never been credited with 
speed of the sprinting order, but what he can do is of the rating 
sort, which tells for a lot in his favor in a long race. He started 
eigliteen times last season, winning four times, finishing second 
four, and third six times. This season he ran three times previ- 
ous to the Derby to-day, his best race being in the Blue Grass 
Stakes, at Lexington, in which he ran second to Foundation, at 
a mile and an eighth, run in 1 :51 2/5. 

The Kentucky Derby of to-day was the richest race in the- 
(history of that classic, being worth $6,600 gross. Of this, the 
second horse, Ten Point, won $700, and the third horse, Gowell, 
$300. With the $125 deducted, the winner's entrance and starting- 
fee, the net value to Donerail is $5,475. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 113 

FORTIETH DERBY 1914 

Derby followers awoke this morning to find that, with a 
cloudless sky smiling above, the elements had looked upon the 
day with favor, it being an ideal day for racing. A warm sun 
dissipated the moisture of two preceding days and also assisted 
extensively in putting the course in good shape. 

It was just a few minutes after 5 o'clock when the Derby 
entrants, after having been cantered past the grandstand and 
clubhouse veranda, approached the starting point a quarter of 
a mile above the judges' stand. Old Ben, which had the inside 
position at the start, was the first to slip under the barrier and 
wheel about facing it. Then came Watermelon, John Gund, 
Bronzewing, Surprising, Old Rosebud and Hodge in the order 
named. 

At the post less than two minutes the seven entrants in the 
Derby were off like a shot. For the fraction of a second they 
ran in perfect alignment, the start having been an ideal one. 
Then Old Rosebud began moving into the lead. Hodge, a bit 
slower than his rival, was quickest of the others, however, and 
closed in immediately behind the leader. Bronzewing was last 
of the seven to get going, and at the end of the first quarter was 
last by five lengths. 

As the eyes of those stationed at the starting point followed 
the racers in their swift circling of the track they saw Old 
Rosebud gradually increasing the lead assumed by him during the 
first quarter of the journey. 

Rounding the turn into the stretch Old Rosebud was in the 
lead by two lengths, Hodge was second by four lengths and 
John Gund was third by half a length. Surprising was a head 



114 HISTORY OF THE 

in advance of Old Ben, and the latter was a length and a half 
in advance of Bronzewing, which was running like a wild horse. 
As the band of racers passed into the stretch, McCabe called on 
Old Rosebud for an extra effort, and he responded in a manner 
that opened the oldest turfman's eyes in wonder and amazement, 
for he sprinted away from his opposition as if they were standing 
still to win easily by eight lengths in the remarkable time of 
2:032/5, a record for the distance here, and making the per- 
formance stand out the more in view of the fact that the track 
was far from being in its best shape. Hodge finished second 
by a length and a half. Bronzewing closed up the space 
separating her from John Gund, Surprising and Old Ben, pass- 
ing the three and dropping into third position four lengths 
behind Hodge. 

The ride which Old Rosebud received was second only to his 
own great courage. Jockey McCabe, a midget whose head and 
hands are busy under all conditions, rode a wonderful race. 
Coming through the stretch he was working in perfect unison 
with his mount. McCabe was restraining the high-strung geld- 
ing, and at the same time looking back into the rut of blasted 
hopes where Hodg>e, Bronzewing and other stars of the turf 
struggled toward the wire. 

Old Rosebud seemed to realize the importance of the occa- 
sion. He had given his best efforts and won. Except for flecks 
of foam and sweat upon his arching neck, he seemed as though 
he had just come out of the barn for a workout. He was the 
leading money-winner on the turf in 1913, and bids fair to hold 
his record again in 1914. 

Governor McCreary, who had witnessed the Derby running 
as the guest of the stewards, presented Jockey McCabe with 



KENTUCKY DERBY 115 



the huge bouquet of Am-erican Beauty roses and also tendered 
his congratulations to Messrs. Weir and Applegate, the joint 
owners of the winner. 

Old Rosebud, the winner, was bred by J. E. Madden at 
Hamburg Place. His sire, Uncle, was bred by Col. E. F. Clay 
and his breeding partner, Catesby Woodford, in Bourbon County, 
and his dam. Ivory Bells, was bred by E. S. Gardner at Avondale 
Stud, in Tennessee. She is by Himyar, the sire of Domino, and 
out of the wonderful race mare Ida Pickwick, by Mr. Pickwick. 
The latter horse is a son of the English Derby winner Hermit. 
The next dam was Ida K., by King Alfonso, she being the dam 
of Indigo, that produced the Suburban Handicap winner, Go 
Between. 

Old Rosebud was purchased, along with four yearling fillies, 
in the season of 1912, by H. C. Applegate & Co., for $3,000. He 
won his first race, the Yucatan Stakes, at Juarez, Mexico, in 
the winter of 1913, and also won another race at that track 
before being brought to Kentucky last spring. Little Nephew, 
also by Uncle, is the only horse that ever beat Old Rosebud 
in a race. 

Last y«ar the Derby winner won twelve of his fourteen starts. 
He ran three most remarkable races as a two-year old at 
Douglas Park, first winning at five furlongs in 0:584/5, again 
in 0:583/5 and again 0:582/5. In all of these races he beat his 
old rival. Little Nephew. He has only started once before this 
season, that being a mile race at Lexington, which he won with 
ease. That race was intended as a preliminary trial for his 
Derby race to-day, and it must he admitted that it brought him 
to the iKDSt in the Derby in the very pink of condition. The 
great gelding was trained by F. D. Weir, who is famous in turf 



116 HISTORY OF THE 

annals of other days as the trainer of Roseben, one of the 
champion sprinters of all time. 

"This was surely a great day, and the Kentucky Derby this 
season eclipses all records," said President Charles F. Grainger. 
*^01d Rosebud and Hodge are two three-year olds the like of 
which perhaps never met in a Derby race. To beat a performer 
like Hodge as handily as he did to-day makes Old Rosebud one 
of the champion three-year olds of all time. Hodge beat the 
previous Derby record far a mile and a quarter as well as Old 
Rosebud, and the race was run over a track more than a second 
slow. Had the Downs course been at its fastest undoubtedly 
Old Rosebud would have beaten the world's record for the 
Kentucky Derby distance on a circular track had he been pushed." 

Judge Charles F. Price stated that he had never seen a greater 
da}^ O'f racing. "There was not a single happening to mar the 
great pleasure of the afternoon, and the Derby of 1914 was the 
most remarkable race ever run in the long history of this classic 
event," said the presiding official. "It was not only a track 
record for the Downs, but it was a remarkable race in every 
particular and wonderful to relate, the two starts of the con- 
test. Old Rosebud and Hodge, are both geldings. It is ques- 
tionable if in a life-time two such horses as these three-year 
olds will be seen in any Derby race together." 

SUMMARY 

Saturday, May 9, 1914. Track good. Derby 1 and % mile. 
$10,000 added, value to winner $9,125. For 3-year olds. Time 
1:38 4/5, 2:03 2/5. 

Old Rosebud, 114, McCabe 1 

Hodge, 114, Taylor 2 

Bronze Wing, 117, J. Hanover 3 



KENTUCKY DERBY 117 

John Gund, 117, Byrne; Old Ben, 114, Turner; Surprising, 
117, Peak; Watermelon, 112, French. 

Winner bay geld, by Uncle— (Ivory Bells. Owner H. C. Apple- 
gate. Trainer F. D. Weir. 

FORTY-FIRST DERBY 1915 

Regret, a chestnut daughter of Broomstick — Jersey Lightning, 
to-day overcame tradition that has withstood since Aristides, 
the "little red horse," triumphed in the inaugural running of the 
Blue Grass .State classic in the spring of 1875, and gained for her 
owner, Harry Payne Whitney, the Eastern sportsman, the sum 
of $11,450 and what is infinitely more to him the honor of 
winning The Kentucky Derby. 

Regret, the scion of illustrious thoroughbreds, achieved an 
easy victory, and, while she may not be the greatest horse that 
ever won the Derby, the daughter of Broomstick and the grand- 
daughter of Ben Brush frunished a spectacle for more than 
40,000 persons at Churchill Downs that will not soon be for- 
gotten. Dashing to the front with the rise of the barrier, she 
made every post a winning post and came on to laurels that 
were rightfully hers. 

Behind Regret trailed the greatest field that has ever worn 
silks in this premier turf event. Pebbles, also carrying the colors 
of the Eastern invasion, straining aching muscles, pursued the 
flying leader to the wire. In his wake were Sharpshooter, an- 
other representative of the East; Royal II, the English-bred colt; 
Emerson Cochran, Leo Ray, Double Eagle and the rest of the 
struggling field. Sixteen pure-blooded animals accepted the issue, 
the largest number in the history of the race. 

Far Back was For Fair, a winter king; Ed Crump, the hope 
of the Tennesseeans ; Norse King, a star of the Maryland racing, 



118 HISTORY OF THE 

and others. Each had done nobly, he had done his best, but 
it was not enough to-day. Old horsemen squinted their eyes un- 
availingly; they could not recall a Derby wherein so many good 
horses had been found wanting. For when was there such a 
field as that in the forty-first running of this turf fixture? 
Regret and her victory will long be talked of where the turf 
is discussed. 

"A filly cannot win the Derby" has been a familiar slogan in 
Kentucky. But no filly of Regret's type has ever before aspired 
to this turf honor. Of richest lineage, trained by the master 
hand of James Rowe, and ridden by the clever Notter, Regret's 
claim demanded consideration. Those who scoffed at her chances 
did not consider. 

After a short delay at the starting pole, all breasted the 
line together and up went the barrier. Down the stretch cam© 
the charging thoroughbreds ; past the grandstand they sped with 
R-egret leading by a half length, Pebbles second and Sharpshooter 
third, overlapped by Ed Crump. The others were in close 
attendance. 

On swept Regret, Jockey Notter sat well forward and the 
filly moved with the utmost precision, maintaining a moderate 
rating stride that bespoke much reserve. Pebbles still hung at 
the saddle girth, his long sweeping strides a source of discomfort 
to the backers of the favorite. Plain it was that Pebbles was 
the chief contender, and in the interest of the thousands it 
was a two-*horse race. 

Around the first turn and up the back stretch went the flying 
leaders. At the five-eighths pole Pebbles challenged, and mo- 
mentarily seemed to make up a few inches on the pacemaker, 
but Notter loosened his reins a notch and Regret responded easily. 
Sharpshooter was still leading the pursuit. Ed Crump, a close 



KENTUCKY DERBY 119 

attendant, then made his move. Near the end of the back stretch 
the Schorr colt crept up. He was ridden by Jockey Goose, a 
Louisville boy, and his friends sounded above the din, "Come 
on Roscoe." But Ed Crump was not equal to the occasion. He 
tried, but failed and dropped back further and further as the 
journey progressed. 

As they took th€ turn by the old clubhouse Pebbles made a 
determined bid for the honor and glory that go to the winner of 
the Kentucky Derby. Again Regret met his challenge easily. 
She moved away from her dogged rival and came into the 
stretch with a lead of a length and a half. Sharpshooter plodded 
stubbornly after the Butler crack, his steel-like cords playing 
beneath the skin. Three-sixteenths of a mile from the wire 
Notter shook up the filly slightly and she came on down the rail 
two lengths in front of Pebbles. Sharpshooter, driving madly 
under the urging of Jockey But well, held R'oyal II. safe. 

Regret pulled up remarkably fresh after her long journey. 
When she came back into the charm circle before the judges' 
stand sh« was still full of run. When the wreath was placed 
around her neck and Jockey Notter boosted up on her bare, 
sweaty back the cheering which had accompanied her victory was 
a mere whisper in comparison to the ovation she received when 
the idea that the unattainable had been attained and that a filly 
had conquered the princes of the turf and won a Kentucky 
Derby, penetrated the head of the vast throng. 

Regret was bred at Mr. Whitney's Brookdale Farm, in New 
Jersey. 

Under a smiling sun, forgetful of world's tragedy, society 
assembled a brilhant gathering around the clubhouse grounds 
to witness the running of the Derby to-day. 

Mr. Whitney was one of the first men out on the track after 
the race was over, and as Regret was jogging back to the stand he 



120 HISTORY OF THE 

remarked: "Isn't she the prettiest little filly you ever saw? 
You know," he continued, ''this is the greatest race in America 
at the present time, and I don't care if she never starts again. 
The glory of winning this event is big enough, and Regret can 
retire to the New Jersey farm any time now. I told Rowe I 
didn't care if she never won another race if she could only land 
this one. I have seen much bigger crowds than this one in the 
East and abroad, but I never saw a more enthusiastic one. It's 
great" and the expression on his face as he stood patting the 
mare's neck was the best evidence in the world that he is a 
worthy representative of his illustrious father, than whom racing 
never had a better friend. 

This was the largest field which ever went to the past in the 
Kentucky Derby. In 1875, when the first Kentucky Derby was 
run, and Aristides, the little chestnut horse was returned the 
victor, fifteen competed for the prize and honors. In 1882, when 
Apollo was victorious, fourteen went to the post, but never in 
its long history did sixteen horses fight it out. 

SUMMARY 

May 8, 1915. Track fast. Derby, $10,000 added, value to 
winner $11,450; $2,000 to second; $1,000 to third. Time 23 3/5, 
483/5, 1.133/5, 1.392/5, 2.052/5. 

Regret, 112, J. Notter 1 

Pebbles, 117, C Borel 2 

Sharpshooter, 114, J. Butwell 3 

Royal II, 117, A. Neylon; Emerson Cochran, 117, W. Taylor; 
Leo Rey, 117, T. McTaggart; Double Eagle, 117, C Burlingame; 
Dortch, 110, A. Mott; For Fair, 117, Warrington; Ed Crump, 
117, R. Goose; Little String, 117, E. Pool; Goldcrest Boy, 114, 
J. Kederis; Uncle Bryn, 117, J. McTaggart; Tetan, 117, J. Smyth; 
Norse King. 117, W. J. O'Brien; Booker Bill. 117, W. Andress. 

Winner Ch F, by Broomstick — Jersey Lightning. Trained by 
J. Rowe. Owner, H. P. Whitney. 



K ENTUCKY DERBY 121 

FORTY-SECOND DERBY 1916 

As old Rome raised her gates for the returning conqueror 
and turned over to him the city's keys so did Louisville surrender 
to-day to the spirit of the Derby. 

Again must the mind go back to palmy days of the city by 
the Tiber to imagine anything like the scene when that crowd of 
50,000 cheering persons saw Gov. Stanley present the victor's 
wreath to Loftus, the boy who rode George Smith, winner of 
the classic. 

It was a surrender complete, unequivocal and universal with 
all classes, at all places and in every regard. 

But perhaps it was not a surrender at all, for that spirit of 
the great Kentucky classic gave to the city a gala day that even 
the carnival of Venice or Mardi Gras at New Orleans cannot 
surpass ; it crowded the city with 25,000 strangers from far and 
near and, from the calculations of hotel men and others who 
come in immediate contact with the racing crowds, brought and 
left no less than one-half million out-of-town dollars to the 
Gateway of the South. 

There was but one limit to the festivities of the day — the 
azure sky. If Louisville was joyful to see so many strangers 
within her walls and delighted in a day of sport that might befit 
dwellers of the Elysian Fields, she had yet another cause for 
gladness. Despite the efforts of "the East" to capture the Ken- 
tucky Derby for two seasons, the first and tliird horses in the 
classic were "bred in old Kentucky." 

The Derby was the fifth race on the card, and it was 5:15 
a'clock when the horses reached the post. There was but little 
delay at the barrier, and within a minute they were on their 
way. Dodge, which ran coupled with Franklin as the Weber & 
Ward entry, was the first to show colors, and his stablemate 



122 HISTORY OF THE 

dashed away right behind him. Dominant, which was coupled 
with Thunderer as the Harry Payne Whitney entry, followed 
the Weber & Ward pair, and he immediately dashed into a 
long lead. 

Passing the stand for the first time Dominant had a long lead 
and appeared to be running easily, but after reaching the back 
side of the track it was evident that he was not good enough to 
last it out. Franklin was running close to him and appeared to 
be ready to run over him. George Smith was in third position, 
and Jockey Johnny Loftus was carefully nursing him along 
reserving his speed for the gruelling drive through the stretch, 
which he knew must come. Nearing the three furlong pole 
Dominant gave it up and then Loftus called on George Smith. 

The Sanford colt bounded to th-e front at a rapid rate and 
soon had a lead of a length over his field, with Franklin closest 
to him. Then it was that Star Hawk loomed up as a dangerous 
contender as he finally found his stride and had clear sailing. 
In the stretch, though, Loftus kept hard at work on George 
Smith, while Jockey Walter Lilley, who rode Star Hawk, was 
making vigorous efforts to get him up. 

Between the sixteenth pole and the finish it looked as though 
Star Hawk could make it, but Loftus' experience served him 
well and he never drove a horse harder than he drove George 
Smith. 

The showing of the Whitney pair was disappointing to the 
Eastern contingent and to Trainer James R'owe himself, who was 
the picture of confidence before the race. Thunderer did not 
show to advantage at any stage of the race, but he finally 
managed to beat his stablemate, he finishing fifth, and Dominant 
seventh. 

Nine three-year old colts contested for the race, Bulse, Huf- 
faker and St. Isidore being scratched. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 123 

George Smith is entirely of English blood, both his sire, Out 
of Reach, and his dam, Consuelo II., being of imported blood. 
His sire is now owned by the New York turfman, James Butler. 

The Derby was worth gross $13,200. The winner's net share 
was $9,750, while the second horse. Star Hawk, took down 
$2,000; the third horse, Franklin, $1,000, and the fourth horse, 
Dodge, saved his stake of $225. The time, 2:04, has only once 
been beaten in the Derby, being second to the mark of 2 :03 2/5, 
scored by Old Rosebud in 1914, which is still the Kentucky 
Derby race record. 

Jockey John Loftus, who rode George Smith to victory in 
the Kentucky Derby, is a native of Chicago, 111., where his 
parents reside. He lias long been regarded one of the leading 
riders of America, and is now under contract to James Butler. 
He only came West this spring to ride George Smith at Lex- 
ington and in the Derby, and will return to New York at once 
to his employer. Loftus was long connected with the stable of 
J. B. Respess and was also awhile with the J. Livingston stable. 
He rode one season in France and made good there, the same 
as he has in this country. 

John Sanford, the owner of George Smith, is a son of the 
noted turfman of the same surname, who raced such great horses 
as Caughnawaga, Rockton, Chuctanunda, Mohawk II. and Molly 
Brant. The Sanford place is Hurricana Stud, near Amsterdam, 
N. Y., where is also located the Sanford carpet manufacturing 
plant. It is at Hurricana Stud that George Smith will do stud 
service when his turf career is over. 

George Smith, the winner of the forty-second renewal of the 
historic and classic Kentucky Derby, is a superbly made black 
colt of average good size and much quality, with a superior way 
of going. He is very sightly in appearance and has a perfect 
track disposition. 



124 HISTORYOFTHE 

He was bred in Mercer County, Kentucky, at the Fountainbue 
Stud of Chinn & Forsythe, and was sold at a fall sale of yearlings 
at the Latonia track for $1,600, being the second highest priced 
yearling sold at that time. Ed McBride, at that sale, left con- 
siderable money with Lou Tauber to buy three yearlings, one 
of these was George Smith, another was Tom Elwood, and the» 
other was Eddie Henry, both of which have won stake races 
for McBride. 

SUMMARY 

May 13, 1916. Track fast. $10,000 added. Value to winner 
$9,750, second $2,000, third $1,000. Time 222/5, 462/5. 1.121/5, 
1.38 4/5, 2.04. 

George Smith, 117, J. Loftus 1 

Star Hawk, 117, W. Lilley 2 

Franklin, 117, T. Rice 3 

Dodge, 117, F. Murphy; Thunderer. 117, T. McTaggart ; The 
Cock, 110, M. Garner; Dominant, 117, J. Notter; Kinney, 117, 
L. Gentry; Lena Misha, 117, E. Dugan. 

Winner black colt, by Out-of Reach — 'Consuelo IL Owned 
by John Sanford. Trained by H. Hughes. 



FORTY-THIRD DERBY 1917 

Mindful still of the war time, but mindful more of the play 
time — of Kentucky's great play day of the May time — 35,000 
citizens of everywhere came from the high and low places of 
earth to-day to make Derby Day in Louisville what Derby Day 
always had been. 

When a Maytime sun flushes the bluegrass of Churchill 
Downs, dapples the satin coats of thoroug-hbreds and touches 
to brilliancy the brave green and gold of paddock, lawn and 
infield, when a hawthornscented breeze, straight from the wooded 



KENT UCKY DERBY 125 

hills of Jacob Park, ripples the gleaming folds of "Old Glory," 
when Senators and Governors, multi-millionaires and interna- 
tionally famous beauties foregather for the running of the 
Derby, when the motion picture cameras are licking, when the 
bands are playing, and the bugles sounding "Boots and Saddles," 
it is time to heed Omar's advice: 

"Come, fill the cup, and in the fire of spring 
Your winter garment of repentance fling!" 

There were, indeed, no "winter garments of repentance" in 
evidence at the Down to-day but instead such Far Eastern 
colors, such vivid touches of Chinese red and jade green, such 
oriental embroideries, such swirling military capes and coats 
that had their inspiration in the army as to convert the Downs 
into a picture that suggested some vast canvas by Velasquez. 

The wise man who once declared that "four things greater 
than all things are: Women and horses and power and war" 
would have found his dictum translated into living proof to-day, 
for added to the beauty of the women who graced the Downs, 
added to the fleetness of the satin-coated horses, and the power 
that is Kentucky, there was the suggestion of patriotism that 
can only translate itself in war. The olive-drab of the First 
Kentucky Infantry formed a fitting background for the striking 
picture presented by clubhouse lawn, verandas and boxes. "Old 
Glory" rippled and fluttered and the notes of the bugle stirred 
the immense throng to one single impulse of patriotism. The 
feeling that if fate should decree that on the next Derby days 
some of "our boys" should be in France, and nearer Longchamps 
than Churchill Downs, that Kentucky will be sure to "place 
a wager for them" instead of "turning down an empty glass," 
was everywhere expressed. 



126 HISTORY OF THE 

Meanwhile, it seemed that "the loveliest, and the best" of- 
Louisville, of Kentucky, and of the nation, were "star-scattered 
on the grass" of the clubhouse. In fact, the Rubaiyat of the 
Kentucky Derby was written to-day, and the chestnut-coated, 
satin-smooth Omar Khayyam won no less in the clubhouse than 
on 'the race course for everywhere the Far Eastern, the Persian, 
the Oriental touch was in evidence. There were Arab coats, 
pongees, and tussahs, silks of Oriental weave, and fabrics that 
were dyed in the self-same tints, and embroidered in the self- 
same designs and motifs as those that greeted the eyes of 
Omar Khayyam centuries ago. 

Automobiles in a long line that narrowed close to the course 
and bore thousands from all quarters of the city filled all the 
inclosures and the open spaces near the park. Street cars, em- 
bracing nearly all the emergency equipment of the railway com- 
pany, ran in an almost continuous line, southbound, for several 
hours on Fourth street. Many lovers of the sport and the 
occasion took the footpaths for the exercise. 

At any rate, 1 :30 o'clock found no less than 30,000 persons 
within Churchill Downs. It found them likewise at attention as 
a body of soldiers, led by a soldier band, mardhed in from the 
north gate, drawing up before a large flagstaflf in the center 
of the infield. 

When 30,000 persons are of one mind, and are ga:thered in 
silence in one place, there is eloquence in the air. The very 
breeze gives a thrill. When the Star Spangled Banner and a Ken- 
tucky Derby in wartime are turned loose on such a vast gathering 
of Americans the heart thumps mightily. In that gathering were 
men who have seen the ravages of war and men who expect to 
feel its blight; men in the khaki and men hoping soon to don 
it. And so, when the regiment boys burst into the anthem as 



KENTUCKY DERBY 127 

a large flag was raised along with two smaller ones, the crowd 
rose, held its silence until the band ceased, and then broke 
into a mighty cheer. 

It was nearly 5 o'clock when the bugle sounded calling the 
horses to the post. The long procession of fifteen, led by the 
outrider on a gray horse, garbed in a fiery red jacket, made an 
imposing picture. The gay silks of the jockeys, with the verdant 
infield for a background, handed just the right touch of color 
to the scene. Down past the grandstand and clubhouse they 
pranced, and here they were all given cheers. It takes Kentucky 
racing audiences to grow enthusiastic, and they know how to 
do it. On the way to the post Ticket, the favorite, was the most 
nervous one of the lot, prancing and dancing throughout the 
stretch. All others were a well behaved lot. 

It took the starter four minutes to get them in alignment, 
and then the grand old shout of "They're off!" shot out from the 
grandstand and was spent on the distant green hills. 

Ticket dashed into the lead, but Stargazer soon assumed 
command, with Berlin forcing the pace at his side. They swept 
past the grandstand at a stirring clip, the field strung out as the 
riders jockeyed for positions. On went Stargazer, his dazzling 
pace tearing at the hearts of those who attempted to follow it. 
Berlin curled up from the effort and dropped back, beaten, as the 
band sped up the back stretch. Ticket still held on and it 
was plain that he was the horse the winner would have to beat. 

As they rounded the turn by the old clubhouse Rickety made 
his move. He seemed to have the speed of his party and rapidly 
mowed down his opposition. At the quarter pole Rickety flashed 
in front, but it was only for an instant. He appeared to sud- 
denly weaken and Ticket headed the procession. 

Meanwhile one of the cleverest riders in America was nestling 
low over the neck of a big chestnut colt. As the field passed the 



128 HISTORY OF THE 

grandstand the first time he was in tenth place. There he 
continued around th-e curve and into the back stretch. Out in 
front he could see the flying leaders, but his mount was running 
smoothly, and as they passed the half mile pole he noticed he 
was shortening the distance that he must make up. He was 
satisfied with his position. But suddenly every hope was 
threatened. He was borne over against the rail and his moimt 
was knocked off his stride. But Borel did not despair. He 
took back until the way was clear and passed the mile mark in 
sixth place. 

The flying leaders swung a trifle wide into the stretch and 
left an opening on the rail. Bor-el did not hesitate. Along the 
white fence he took Omar. In a couple of jumps his mount 
was at Ticket's rump. Steadily he moved toward the front; past 
saddle girth and withers. He soon was stretching fiery nostrils 
alongside the bay colt's neck, and then Omar Khayyam's blaze 
face showed in front, and in the last hundred yards commenced 
to draw away and swept under the wire winner by two lengths. 

The Kentucky Derby; one mile and a quarter; for three-year 
olds; purse, $15,000 added; net value to the winner. $16,600; 
$2;500.to second, $1,000 to third, $275 to fourth. Fractional 
Time-~0:23 3/5, 0:47 3/5, 1:124/5, 1:38, 2:043/5. • 

Starters Weights Jockeys St. 54 Vz Va S. F. 

Omar Khayyam, 117... Borel 11 10 h 10 1 6^ 2 1 1 2 • 

Ticket, 117.... J. McTaggart 1 3h 3 1^ 4^^ 15^ 2 1^ 

Midway, 117 C. Hunt 12 12 1 9 1 8^ 3 h 3 4 

Rickety, 117 Robinson 5 7^ 5 1 1 h 4J^ 4 1 

War Star, 110 Buxton 6 5 VA 6 1 5^5h5h 

Manister Toi. 117.. . .Keogh 15 13^ ^A 10 1 65^ 6h 

Skeptic, 117 Martin 14 6 1 4h 9 1 7 1 7 IJ^ 



KENTUCKY DERBY 129 

Guy Fortune, 117. . .Connolly 2 14 1 12 1 12 1 11 1 8^ 

Star Master, 117 Loftus 9 4>< 2h 2h8 119h 

Stargazer, 110 Crump 10 1^ U/z 3 h 9^10 2 

Cudgel, 117 Murphy 13 11 1 7 1 13 1 12^ 11 5 

Green Jones, 117 Goose 3 9h 13 1 lUA 13 1 12 8 

Top o' the Wave, ll7.Morys, 4 15 14 2 14 1 14 1 13 4 

Berlin, 117 Andress 7 2^ 8h 7^10 114 12 

Acabado, 114 .'Schuttinger 8 8h 15 15 15 15 

The $2 mutuels paid: Omar Khayyam, straight $27.60, place 
$10.90, show $6.20; Ticket, place $3.70, show $2.80; Midway, 
show $5.10. 

Omar Khayyam was bred in England by Sir John Robinson 
and J. T. Farr and was purchased by his present trainer, Charles 
T. Patterson for C. K. G. Billings and Frederick Johnson at 
Newmarket, September 15. 1915, for $1,500. Omar Khayyam's 
sire Marco won the Cambridgeshire, etc., and is the sire of Neil 
Gow, Beppo, Marcovil, Malua, Bembo, Mirador, Sansovino, and 
other good horses. 

Omar Khayyam, named for the great Persian poet and as- 
tronomer, is the first foreign-bred colt to win a Kentucky Derby. 
His owners are Frederick Johnson, a broker, in New York and 
C. K. G. Billings, owner of the famous trotters Uhlan, Lou 
Dillon and Major Delmar and it is his second season as a 
thoroughbred owner. Mr. Johnson saw his colt win but Mr. 
Billings was unable to enjoy seeing the victory. 

Trainer C. T. Patterson said before the race: "I never 
trained a horse in which I had mor^e confidence than Omar 
Khayyam, and I handled Hamburg and Ornament." 



130 HISTORY QFTHE 

FORTY-FOURTH DERBY 1918 

In the presence of the greatest crowd that ever thronged 
Churchill Downs and over a track fetlock deep in mud, Willis 
Sharpe Kilmer's chestnut gelding Exterminator, saddled by 
Henry McDaniel, and capably ridden by W. Knapp, scored 
an easy victory over seven other good three-year olds in the 
forty-fourth running of the Kentucky Derby this afternoon. 
Kenneth D. Alexander's crack Broomstick colt, Escoba, ridden 
by Joe Notter, finished second, a length back of the winner and 
eight lengths in front of Viva America, the only filly that started 
in the race. A. K. Macomber's imported War Cloud, a heavy 
favorite in the speculation and which would have paid a little 
less than three to two, had he won, was never a serious factor 
and finished fourth, beaten all of the way. 

The winner was given but scant consideration by the bettors, 
being the least regarded of the eight that made up the field after 
Aurum and Jim Heffering had been withdrawn. Exterminator 
paid his backers the handsome odds of nearly thirty to one and 
in winning upset all calculations and brought consternation to 
the iranks of the form players, who went to War Cloud with 
rare confidence. 

It was after five o'clock when the bugle called the horses to 
the post for the Derby, in which a big surprise was in store for 
the spectators. Every inch of space in clubhouse and grand- 
stand was taken, while a solid mass of humanity lined the 
lawns a quarter of a mile long, extending from clubhouse to 
the quarter pole, almost to the head of the homestretch. The 
procession of eight sleek thoroughbreds, trained to the minute, 
led by the outrider on a gray horse, garbed in a fiery jacket, 
made an imposing picture. The gay silks of the jockeys with 
the verdant field for a background, gave just the right touch of 



KEN TUCKY DERBY 131 

color to the scene. Down past the grandstand and clubhouse 
they pranced, with Escoba in the lead, closely followed by the 
others. At sight of the dark blue and white sleeves of Mr. 
Alexander, worn by Escoba's rider, faint cheers rippled along 
the fringe of the crowd that lined the rail, and which was turned 
into a noisy demonstration as War Cloud, the favorite, came 
in sight. They reached the post at 5:19, and it took Starter 
Dade but a brief time to get them in alignment. In exactly two 
minutes he sprung the barrier, and, shouting, "Come on," sent 
the eight horses away on their history-making journey. Viva 
America was the first to show in front after a few strides, and 
was closely followed by Sewell Combs and Escoba. 

As they thundered past the stand for the first time, the 
Worthington filly was still in the lead, with Sewell Combs and 
Escoba running neck and neck to her rear. Exterminator was 
lying in fourth position, while Lucky B., American Eagle, War 
Cloud and Jas. T. Clark were running abreast not far behind. 
There was very little change in the running positions as the 
field swung into the backstretch, except that the leader was 
beginning to show the strain of pacemaking. As they reached the 
half-mile pole backers of War Cloud implored Loftus to move 
up and for a moment it appeared that the rider had heard the cry 
across the field and was making an effort to comply. The 
English-bred horse, however, showed clearly that the task was 
too much for him, for despite his rider's vigorous efforts he 
could not get within hailing distance of the leaders. Rounding 
the far turn Viva America was ready to cry quits and Escoba, 
after shaking off Sewell Combs, forged ahead. If Notter, who 
was aboard of Escoba, exulted over the advantage gained, he was 
soon doomed to disappointment, for Knapp had gone to work 
on Exterminator, and under keen urging the Kilmer gelding 



132 HISTORYOFTHE 

rushed forward and was on even terms with the Alexander colt 
as they straightened out for the last gruelling- drive. After a 
brief struggle, Exterminator shook off his doughty antagonist 
and drawing clear in the last eighth, won in a mild drive in 
2:10 4/5. Escoba had practically no opposition for the place. 
Viva America beat War Qoud four lengths for third money. 
Sewell 'Combs ran a good race, but tired chasing the leader in 
the first seven-eighths. Lucky B., which was supposed to be 
partial to the heavy track, ran far below expectations. American 
Eagle and Jas. T. Clark also ran below par and might just as 
well not have 'been started. War Cloud showed a very poor 
effort, due probably to the fact that he did not like the kind of 
mud that prevailed to-day. 

The winner's portion of the stake amounted to $14,700. The 
second horse's share was $2,500, and the third horse, $1,000. By 
finishing fourth War Cloud saved his owner nominating and 
starting fees. 

Exterminator and his rider were roundly applauded upon 
their return to the stand. Mr. Kilmer, who watched the race 
with Mrs. Kilmer from a box, was called into the judges* box 
and warmly congratulated by Gov. A. O. Stanley, while the 
floral wreath was placed around the neck of the winner. 

The morning dawned bright and clear, but shortly after 7 
o'clock the sky became overcast and by 8 :30 the rain was pouring 
down. It was steady and heavy until shortly after 1 o'clock 
when it ceased and there was an occasional feeble attempt of 
the sun to kiss away the dampness on stand and lawns and r3'e- 
grown infield of verdant Churchill Downs, but it was all to no 
purpose, for the country's most classical race was decided over 
the muddiest course for any Derby since that won by Worth 
in 1912. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 133 

As the horses came from the paddock onto the track in 
parade to the post for the opening race, the band struck up the 
national anthem, and at the same time the stars and stripes were 
run up to the top of the tall flag mast in the center field. 
Everyone stood — the soldiers, who had come in goodly numbers 
from Camp Zachary Taylor, at attention, and the male civilians, 
with their heads uncovered. Two of the jockeys, Frank Murphy 
and Lee Mink, took off their caps when they heard the strains 
of "The Star Spangled Banner," and saw "Old Glory," floating 
to the breeze, a resplendent guarantee to the freedom of the 
nation and earnest evidence that our fighting forces and their 
allies will make the world safe for democracy. And just at the 
moment of the good old flag's ascendancy the sun shone out from 
behind the vanishing clouds until it was bright enough to cast 
shadows from the trees and shrubs upon the lawn. 

In the spring of 1914 Joseph Knight mad-e arrangements to 
breed three of his mother's . mares to McGee on shares. 
Mr. Moore was to have the p;ick, of , the mares owned by Mr. 
Knight's mbther. Fair Empress, was one of the mares selected 
by Mr, Moore to breed to McGee and -Exterminator was foaled 
on May 30, 1915. He was sold as a yearling at Saratoga by 
the Powers-Hunter Company to J. C Milam for $1,500. Mr. 
Milam broke him and developed him, and last year won $1,350 
with him, and this month, during the Lexington meeting, sold 
him to Mr. Kilmer for a price reported to have been in the 
vicinity of $10,000. 

The Kentucky Derby; one mile and a quarter; for three- 
year olds; $15,000 added; net value to the winner $14,700 ; $2,500 
to second; $1,000 to third; $275 to fourth. Fractional time — 



134 HISTORYOFTHE 

0:24 1/5, 0:491/5, 1:161/5, 1:43 3/5, 2:10 4/5. Went to the post 
at 5:19 p. m. Off at 5:21. 

Starters Weights St. ^ ^ 34 S. F. 

Exterminator, 114 W. Knapp 5 5 1 AY2 1 h 2 4 1 1 

Escoba, 117 j. Notter 2 3 1^/^ 2 h 2 1 1 h 2 8 

Viva America, 113...W. Warrington 111^11 1/4 343234 

War Cloud, 117 J. Loftus 74 h 52 444342 

Lucky B., 117 J. McCabe 4 6 h 7 8 5K 5 6 5 6 

Jas. T. Clark, 117.. J. Morys 873 6Z 76736 12 

Sewell Combs, 117. L. Gentry 3 2nk 3 1 6 2 6^ 7 1 

American Eagle, 117 E. Sande 6 8 8 8 8 8 

The $2 mutuels paid: Exterminator, straight $61.20, place 
$23.10, show $12.40; Escoba, place $4.90, show $4.60; Viva 
America, show $13.20. 

'Start good. Won handily; place driving. Winner, ch g, 3, by 
McGee^ — ^Fair Empress. Trainer H. McDaniel. 



FORTY-FIFTH DERBY 1919 

A record Derby in more ways than one was this year's 
Louisville's big racing attraction. Never was there such a crowd, 
the dimensions of which reminded me of Epsom and of Fleming- 
ton. A vast surging mass of racing enthusiasts, which, prior to 
the running of the big race, were to be found eagerly discussing 
the merits or demerits of the Derby contestants and afterwards 
the whys and wherefores of the success of one and th^e failure 
of others. A record Derby also because of the fact that two 
horses in the same ownership finished first and second, and also 
for the first time in its history the spoils fell to a sportsman who 
hails from the land of "God save the king and heaven bless the 
maple leaf forever." 



KENTUCKY DERBY 135 

Fortunately the morning's promise of still more rain was not 
fulfilled, nary an umbrella did I see raised during the course of 
the afternoon. Many there were who availed themselves of the 
privilege of watcliing the race from the infield, though the 
grandstand was not filled to that overflowing that has marked 
the decision of former Derbies. This was true because of the 
fact that the whole grandstand was reserved, an extra charge 
being demanded for admission. Surely this is a mistake, ugh! 
What next? What would have happened it is hard to say had 
Jupiter Pluvious again gone to work. The going itself was 
more than fair. The Churchill Downs course never becomes hold- 
ings as does Lexington; proof of this is the winner's more than 
good time, made when competing for fhe Derby. 

Now then for the Derby. The gelding Be Frank is first on 
view, presenting a well trained appearance. Vindex. though out 
on the course for a warming up canter, did not pass the stands. 
His manners are even yet not by any means perfect, whinnying 
and nickering when returning to the paddock, a ma.gnificent 
specimen of a thorough bred, perhaps a trifle long of back, 
carrying abundant condition, too, but in every way a gentleman 
to look at. Along came the Canadian pair Billy and Barton, by 
odds the best ordered horses in the race. Kelly especially looked 
fit to run for the proverbial king's ransom, his whippet like 
contour convincing evidence that Trainer Bedwell has lost noth- 
ing of his skill, and Barton, too, though built on somewhat 
more generous lines, had the look of one trained to the minute. 
Indeed, it is comforting to know that there are yet to be found 
those who can prepare a horse for a ten furlongs race. Eterna^ 
and Sailor also are shown, the favorite more bulky than ever. 
Sailor put up on more rangy lines. Little Regalo was the last 
to come out, evidently on the best of terms with herself, evincing 



136 HISTORY OF THE 

an interest in the spectators and playing with her pony companion 
on her return. St. Bernard, Frogtown and Under Fire I did 
not see, the paddock was altogether impossible. The absolutely 
fit condition of the Ross pair was the subject of much favorable 
comment, the magnificence of Vindex, the lack of scope of 
Eternal, the well being of Regalo, all of us had something to 
say, but there goes the bugle. Starter Dade did not keep us 
waiting long, and from the outset the Ross chestnut, Sir Barton, 
was at the head of affairs, followed, as they pass the stand, by 
Eternal, Vindex and Billy Kelly. On they sweep round the 
upper turn. Barton galloping easily in front of Eternal, Billy 
Kelly third, just in front of Vindex^ then came St. Bernard and 
Sennings . Fark, well clear of the rest. Only one-half mile has 
been run when Vindex rapidly compounds and quickly falls to 
the rear.. On spins the chestnut well in advance of Eternal and 
Kelly; won't he ever come back? Oh no, as long as weight and 
condition serve, both of which are in his favor. Eternal mo- 
mentarily makes a stab at the three-eighths, but is done, ab- 
solutely done thereafter. Billy Kelly now looms up, and as 
they straighten for home makes his gallant effort, but it is of 
no avail, even to the application of the rawhide he is unable 
to respond, and Sir Barton sails home an easy winner after 
making every yard of the pace. Under Fire comes out of the ruck 
at the end to take third place, the son of Swynford again shows 
lack of pace in the early running, but came along stoutly at the 
finish, the rest scattering. Yes, scattering ; there was no rattling 
horse against horse at any part of the race. It was thus Sir 
Barton broke his maiden, assisted of course in this by his 
pull in weight and also by his superior racing condition. Billy 
Kelly's condition, too, saved him the place, and this is a feat 
which Trainer Bedwell is deserving of all praise and of which 



K ENTUCKY DERBY 137 

he may well be proud. Under Fire's gameness and race horse 
qualities enabled him to obtain third place, and some day, later 
along, he is certain to develop into a cup horse of the best sort, 
sound, long winded and hardy as they come. Regalo disappointed 
me. Fillies, however, are ever uncertain in this spring season. 
The form displayed by Vindex was altogether too bad to be true. 
Maybe he has his peculiarities as had his grandsire St. Maclou. 
Eternal did not have the appearance of a thoroughly trained 
horse. Maybe he was more fit than was thought and does not 
fancy a distance. As for the rest, they simply are not of Derby 
calibre. The time, 2:093/5, was remarkably good, everything, 
track and atmospheric conditions, considered and goes a long 
way to show that the Kentucky Derby this year, at all events, 
was a true run, honest race. "EXILE " 

SUMMARY 

May 10, 1919. Track heavy. $20,000 added. Value to Win- 
ner $20,825, second $2,500, third, $1,000, fourth $275. Time— 
241/5, 482/5, 1.14, 1.414/5, 2.094/5. 

Sir Barton, 112^, J. Loftus 1 

Billy Kelly, 119, E. Sande 2 

Under Fire, 122, M. Garner 3 

Vulcanite, 110, C. Howard; Sennings Park, 122, H. Lunsford; 
Be Frank, 119, J. Butwell ; Sailor, 119, J. Mclntyre; St. Bernard, 
119, E. Pool; Regalo, 117, F. Murphy; Eternal, 122, A. Schut- 
tinger; Frogtown, 119, J. Morys; Vindex, 122, W. Knapp. 

Winner Chestnut Colt, by Star Shoot — Lady Sterling. Owned 
by J. K. L. Ross, Trained by H. G. Bedwell. 



138 HISTORYOFTHE 

FORTY-SIXTH DERBY 1920 

A droning buzz as if from 45,000 human bees, a sudden 
silence as felt before a storm, and then an outburst of sound, 
over topped in volume by the rebel yell let out by Uncle Biily 
Garth, of Virginia, thousands of fluttering spasms of dying 
thrills, and then the finish of the forty-sixth Kentucky Derby 
passed into history. 

Running a great and game race, that did credit to his illus- 
trious namesake, Paul Jones, a son of Sea King and May Flor- 
ence, led from start to finish of the mile and a quarter, and won 
under a drive by a good neck. Fighting it out to the last ounce 
of endeavor, Harry Payne Whitney's Upset, that owner's home 
bred son of Whisk Broom II. and Pankhurst, finished in second 
place, with four lengths to spare over George W. Loft's On 
Watch, who was early favorite in the winter books for this 
big event. 

On Watch was four lengths in front of Damask another of 
the Whitney entry, while Donnacona, the other of the Loft pair 
to start, was fifth, with Blazes, stable mate of Paul Jones, sixth. 
The race was worth $30,375 to the winner, and there was $4,000 
for Upset, who ran second, and $2,000 for On Watch, as the 
short end of the rich purse, while Damask saved his entry fee 
when he finished in fourth place, $275. 

For once, the monster throng, many of whom had witnessed 
many other Derbies, awakened to a perfect day, just as perfect 
as a day in June, but the track was slow, as was evidenced by 
the time of 2:09. The record for this race was made by Old 
Rosebud, who did the distance In 2:03 2/5. 

The start of the race could not have been better, the seventeen 
thoroughbreds getting away in almost perfect alignment, after 
having been at the post less than four minutes. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 139 



Paul Jones was the first to show in front, following the rise 
of the barrier, but pounding along at his throat-latch was Prince 
Pal, with the others following closely. By the time the leader 
had reached a point opposite the paddock gate, a few hundred 
yards from the starting line, the others had begun to string out. 

On they came with Paul Jones showing the way. As the field 
passed the grandstand, the first time. Jockey Ted Rice nestled low 
in the saddle. He was rating his mount nicely and the son of 
Sea King was eager to run. On they sped around the first turn 
and into the back stretch. Here By Golly made his move for the 
honor and glory that goes to the winner of the Derby. He hung 
close to the heels of Paul Jones as they swung into the straight- 
away, and then fell back beaten. 

Wildair took up the chase. He closed to the saddle girth 
of the Parr winner and they swept along at a tearing pace. 
One or the other must falter, the crowd knew, but Paul Jones 
proved his mettle. Wildair dropped back. 

Qn Watch then drew the gaze of the spectators. As the 
field passed the half-mile post he shot forward and sped past 
his tiring opposition. On he continued as they rounded the last 
turn, and an old horseman shouted. 

"On Watch wins." 

But On Watch had spent himself and all the courage and 
stamina at his command could not overhaul the driving duo out 
front. At the furlong pole Paul Jones met his sternest test. 
He seemed to be weakening from the long, hard struggle. Up- 
set appeared to be the stronger. But Jockey Rice again called on 
his game little mount and Paul Jones did as Hanover or Hindoo 
would have done. He would not be denied. 



140 HISTORY OF THE 

Paul Jones met challenge with challenge and at the close dis- 
played a heart of iron as he drove madly under the wire with 
Upset at his throat-latch. 

Throughout the stretch the twain waged a heartrending duel. 
As they took the final turn Upset made his bid. Inch by inch he 
forged past rump and flank and withers. He stretched fiery nos* 
trils alongside the gelding's throat. Only the blazed face re- 
mained between him and victory. On they came past the furlong 
pole, and still the blazed face would not be dislodged. It re- 
mained there to the end. 

This, triumph of the East was more than a victory for Ken- 
tucky. ^ The ugly little brown boasts blood that long has been 
the pride of the Blue Grass. His dam is by Hamburg, which got 
Jersey Lightning, the dam of Regret, and Hamburg's sire was 
the immortal Hanover, by Hindoo, winner of the Kentucky 
Derby of 1881: Hindoo was from the loins of Virgil out of 
Florence, by Lexington, and he by Boston, the great Boston. 

SUMMARY 

' Ms^y 8, 1920. Track slow. $30,000 added. Value to winner 
$30;375, second, $4,000, third $2,000, fourth $275. Time— 23 4/5, 
481/5, 1.144/5, 1.42, 2.09. 

Paul Jones, 126, T. Rice. .1 

Upset, 126, J. Rodriguez 2 

On Watch, 126, N. Barrett. .3 

Damask, 126, E. Ambrose ; Donnacona, 126, W. J. O'Brien ; 
Blazes, 126, C. Kummer; By Golly, 126, L. Lyke; Wildair, 126, 
L, Fator; Bersagliere, 126, T. Murray; Patches, 126, J. Hanover; 
Herron, 126, J. Butwell; Sandy Beal, 126, I. Williams; Prince 
Pal, 126, A. Schuttinger; David Harum, 126, C. Fairbrother; 
Cleopatra, 121, L. McAtee; Peace Pennant, 126, M. Garner; 
Sterling, 126, J. Callahan. 

Winner, Brown Gelding, by Sea King-May Florence, by 
Hamburg. Owned by R. Parr. Trained by Wm. Garth. 



KENTUCKY DERBY 141 



I love the Hoss from Hoof to Head, 
From Head to Hoof and Tail to Mane. 
I love the Hoss, as I have said 
From Head to Hoof and back again. 
I love my God the first of all, 
Then Him that perished on the Cross 
And next my Wife and then I fall 
Down on my knees and Love the Hoss. 



James Whitcomb Riley. 



LIBRARY OF 



CONGRESS 



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